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SONG THRUSH AND BLACKBIRD
26
ONE OF THE FIRST SIGNS that spring has arrived
is the sound of song thrushes and blackbirds in full
song. Both are familiar visitors to the garden, but
their fortunes have varied in recent years. The
song thrush population has declined by more than
50% since the 1970s, but blackbirds have increased.
WHAT DO THEY NEED?
• Both species spend much of their time searching for
invertebrates on the ground. They forage among leaf litter,
on lawns and in borders. They also feed on insects found in
the foliage and branches of trees and shrubs, and on tree and
shrub fruits, particularly during late summer and autumn.
• Blackbirds have a more varied diet than that of song thrushes.
Both eat earthworms year-round, but song thrushes are more
dependent on them, particularly in winter and spring. Young
birds are fed mostly on earthworms in spring, but insects
begin to form the basis of their diet as the season progresses.
Blackbird
• Blackbirds and song thrushes require thick vegetation in which
to feed and nest, with adjacent areas of open grass where they
can forage for food.
PROVIDING NATURAL YEAR-ROUND FOOD
Maintain beds with a good layer of ground cover, shrubs and
herbaceous plants. This will create conditions suitable for
earthworms, snails and insects sought by the birds. Avoid the
use of slug pellets, which can be picked up by the birds.
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For more ideas please visit:
www.rspb.org.uk/hfw/advice/26
Plant a mixture of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants to
provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities. Dense, thorny
bushes offer maximum protection. Incorporate plenty of
organic compost to help retain moisture, and provide nutrients
for the plants and promote earthworms in the soil.
Song thrushes and blackbirds can often be seen feeding on
lawns, close to dense cover. They prefer short grass when
foraging for worms, while long grass provides a valuable
habitat for insects that they eat. Set aside areas of both short
and long grass, retaining the latter over winter.
Song thrush
PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD
• Song thrushes and blackbirds will eat apples and pears as
well as dried fruits, particularly in harsh weather.
• You can also offer mealworms and ‘soft bill’ food from
reputable pet shops. The latter is a protein-rich food
supplement intended for insect-eating cage birds.
• Blackbirds will accept mealworms and earthworms that
have been placed in trays of moist soil or peat-free compost
and covered with moist, dead leaves.
PROVIDING NESTING SITES
Grow thorny bushes, such as hawthorn and holly, to provide
feeding and nesting opportunities.
• Song thrushes and blackbirds nest against the trunks of small
trees, shrubs and climbers or in buildings and log piles. Try to
preserve such potential nesting areas.
• Both species can raise several broods in a single year, often
from as early as February through to August. Finish latewinter pruning and cutting by the end of February and check
bushes for nests before cutting.
• Both species use mud to build nests. Help them by creating an
area of wet mud that they can use in spring.
Front: illustration by Richard Allen (RSPB); photos by Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com)
and Graham Eaton (rspb-images.com). Back: photos by Chris Gomersall
(rspb-images.com) and Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com).
Regd charity England & Wales no 207076, Scotland no SC037654 380-0087-07-08