Males establish territories in April, usually in the same territory year after year, unless deposed by another male. “The blackbird,” according to Oliver, “usually chooses a secluded place to sing, and its song is similar to but richer than that of the thrush. The first month during which its full song may be heard is July, but part songs may be heard during the previous three or four months. The song usually ceases in December but has been heard as late as February. They also have a distinctive alarm call, akin to a loud clatter.
“The nest is built by the female or both male and female in a small tree or shrub, or in a tussock, or even on a ledge in a shallow cave. It is constructed of grass matted together by mud and lined with finer grass. Eggs are found from September until to December but in the Auckland district eggs have been found in August and as early as June. The eggs are bluish green speckled with brown. The clutch is usually four or five eggs.
“The female carries out the incubation during which time she is fed by the male. Incubation normally takes fourteen days but thirteen and sixteen days have been reported. Both birds feed the nestlings.”
The blackbird’s food consists of insects, snails, worms, seeds and fruit. In dry weather, especially when feeding young birds, they may kick out plants in the garden which have been watered in the effort to find food. They hop rather than walk which distinguishes them from the starling which waddles.
Albinos do occur quite often but partial albinos, or leucistic birds, are more frequently seen.
The blackbird, together with the myna, pollinates the South American fruit feijoa in New Zealand. They feed on the sweet and juicy petals of the brightly coloured flowers. Small birds, such as white-eyes, visit feijoa flowers but are apparently ineffective pollinators.
Narena Olliver, Greytown, 2007.
