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Blackbird

Blackbird

Blackbirds typically live alone, with males generally living in the same territory (or place) throughout their adult lives. As they like to eat snails, slugs and other invertebrates, blackbirds can help us control garden pests.

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

Garden types

Blackbirds are found in about 90% of gardens, irrespective of whether the surveyed garden is in an urban or rural area. If you feed birds, you will see slightly more blackbirds.

Garden location

Blackbirds are found throughout New Zealand but overall are less likely to be seen in gardens on the South Island, particularly in the Tasman and Otago regions.