A familiar enigma

THE blackbird (Turdus merula) is a common bird found throughout the UK. If you look out into most gardens in this country, the bird you will probably see first is a blackbird hopping across the lawn pecking at any small morsel found to eat. And, of course, the British summer would not be complete without the melodious sound of the cock blackbird singing before it is time to go to roost.

The song and appearance of this charming bird have captured the imagination of musicians and poets alike. As the subject of many artworks, it’s a species that is very much a part of the British culture. But don’t be fooled: we can’t claim the blackbird as our own, as the distribution of this species is widespread stretching across all of Europe and even