Blackbird

Blackbird

Blackbird

Ten-year trends for blackbirds in gardens were initially stable, but then shifted (in 2021) to an ongoing shallow increase.

Blackbird | Manu pango trends have improved in gardens overall (since our 10-year assessments began in 2017), as their numbers have stabilised or increased slightly across the regions.

A 'typical' garden has two blackbirds, irrespective of whether birds are fed or not, or if the garden is in a rural or urban area.

Blackbird | Manu pango. Black body with an orange beak and ring around the eye.

Scientific name: Turdus merula
Other names: Eurasian blackbird, manu pango

New Zealand Status: Introduced

Conservation Status: Naturalised

Where they feed: Ground and shrubs
What they eat: Invertebrates and fruit

'Beakful' | Blackbird | NZGBS 2024 Photography Competition Image: Maksym Polyakov

Backyard in Burwood | Blackbird | NZGBS 2023 Photograph Competition Image: Liza Jackson

Blackbird with mouthful of worms on our back gate. NZGBS Photography Competition Image: Val Burns

Mumma blackbird feeds hungry mouths nesting in our lemon tree. NZGBS 2024 Photography Image: Damon Marshall.

Blackbird fledgling wants out of the lemon tree! NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Damon Marshall.

Feeding time for a young Manu Pango/Eurasian Blackbird. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Ian Cooper.

Female Blackbird feeding its young. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Jill Lancaster.

Blackbird, love how the light is shining on the bird. Pic taken in my garden. NZBlackbird , love hiw the light is shining on the bird. Pic taken in my garden. GBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Jodine Waghorn.

Dinner time for young blackbird. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Robert Jones.

Next generation's dreams! NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Faye Withers.

Female Blackbird singing in the rain. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Shantelle Lovatt.

Confrontation.
Male blackbird staring down at an earthworm captured in Greenlane in front of the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine building. Guess what happened in the end? The bird lost the staring contest and ran away! (Yes, the earthworm survived! And yes, the black bird literally ran!) NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: ShengXi (Charlie) Zhang. — Confrontation. Male blackbird staring down at an earthworm captured in Greenlane in front of the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine building. Guess what happened in the end? The bird lost the staring contest and ran away! (Yes, the earthworm survived! And yes, the black bird literally ran!) NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: ShengXi (Charlie) Zhang.

Do you think if I stay hidden here the kereru will let me eat some guavas? NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Helen Jenkins.

Female Blackbird and chicks. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Shane Todd.

Female Blackbird posing destined for the big time. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Jawyei Wong.

Female blackbird on nest on hot summers day. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Anne Webber.

Baby Blackbirds, nesting under the eaves. NZGBS 2024 Photograph Competition Image: Carole Garside.