“This Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) was introduced from Europe to New Zealand in the 1800s. It feeds on slugs, insects, earthworms and is often seen foraging on the ground. The male is all black with an orange beak and eye-ring (above). The female and juvenile are brownish (below).
“This male sang merrily despite the heavy traffic below. The video was taken in the evening just before sunset, by the pathway skirting the Botanic Gardens in Wellington, New Zealand. This thrush is common in the country, especially in suburban parks.
“Now I know the bird I used to sing about in primary school also has orange beak and eye-ring. Guess we had to learn one colour at a time at that age.”
‘Two little black birds sat on a wall,
One named Peter, one named Paul,
Fly away Peter, fly away Paul,
Come back Peter, come back Paul.’
Teo Lee Wei & K
Singapore
10th May 2015
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