Blackbird (Turdus merula), Calne

Image: © Maigheach-gheal Taken: 1 Jan 2011

The blackbird is as common in woodland and on agricultural land as in town squares and suburban gardens. The male is all black with a yellow eye ring and beak. Females are duller and browner. young birds are a rather redder brown with pale spots. Blackbirds nest on a variety of sites from ground level to 40 feet high. They build solid nests of grasses reinforced with mud and often manage to rear four broods in a season. The female incubates three to five blue-green eggs with brown spots, which hatch in about thirteen days. In addition to the resident blackbirds, there are substantial numbers of immigrants from the Continent which overwinter in Britain. The mellow song of the blackbird stands out in the dawn chorus, but when disturbed it flies off with a series of loud, chattering cries. It is said that if a blackbird nests anywhere in your house then you can look forward to a year of good fortune. Dreaming of a blackbird may be a sign of misfortune for you in the coming weeks. It also means you lack motivation and that you are not utilising your full potential. However, the sight of two blackbirds sitting together is a symbol of peace and a good omen. Dreaming of a flying blackbird is said to bring good fortune.

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