The common blackbird is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, seeds and berries.
It feeds mainly on the ground, running and hopping with a start-stop-start progress.
It pulls earthworms from the soil, usually finding them by sight, but sometimes by hearing, and roots through leaf litter for other invertebrates.
Small amphibians and lizards are occasionally hunted.
This species will also perch in bushes to take berries and collect caterpillars and other active insects.
Animal prey predominates, and is particularly important during the breeding season, with windfall apples and berries taken more in the autumn and winter.
The nature of the fruit taken depends on what is locally available, and frequently includes exotics in gardens.
The common blackbird is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, seeds and berries. It feeds mainly on the ground, running and hopping with a start-stop-start progress. It pulls earthworms from the soil, usually finding them by sight, but sometimes by hearing, and roots through leaf litter for other invertebrates. Small amphibians and lizards are occasionally hunted. This species will also perch in bushes to take berries and collect caterpillars and other active insects. Animal prey predominates, and is particularly important during the breeding season, with windfall apples and berries taken more in the autumn and winter. The nature of the fruit taken depends on what is locally available, and frequently includes exotics in gardens.
Common blackbird