Customers outside the UK can telephone us on +44 1227 714314 (overseas calls chargeable). SC037654, crows regularly harrassing magpies whilst they are constructing their nest. A friend told me she had one that lived to 7 years old. Enjoy yourself here. Not many birds like to be in urban/city gardens as much as a Blackbird does, along with a friendly dispostion towards people too. Blackbirds are what is known as sexually dimorphic, which means that the plumage of the female is completely different from that of the male. Sorry, you must enable Javascript or use a different browser to use this web site. As for people saying they're like their pets well that doesn't surprise me at all! 207076, Scotland no. They must have been further on than I thought, as I noticed the parents still gathering worms etc and flying into some long grass. Will have to be vigilant on cat watch now they are out of the nest. I think you are very kind to your Blackbirds and it is good that you have their welfare at heart. How old does a Blackbird live - hard question! The oldest ringed blackbird recovered was over 20 years old. Maximun 14 year 2 months. Good morning Poppy and welcome to  the forum, Sounds like the parents are doing agood job and with you on cat watch, they stand a good chance, "out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field. Hi Poppy and welcome to the RSPB Forum. Just thought I'd update you - feeling a bit silly at jumping to conclusion something bad had happened to young blackbirds. The older birds do not start singing until well into March. This can be a very stressful time with cats about. The first blackbird song of the year can usually be heard at the end of January or early February, though urban birds often start earlier. Trochilus: I have heard of the age of a Blackbird going up to 20 years old. One of the most common UK birds, its mellow song is also a favourite. For assistance, please call us FREE on 0800 072 0130. They seen such successful birds, and have adapted well to environmental changes over the years. Must have been a well looked after one. Attempts to establish blackbirds in New York and Oregon in the 19th-century both failed. I was a bit concerned initially as I couldn't see them around the garden anywhere, but when I watched the parents collecting food, they were taking it to two large poplar trees we have in the garden, so the young ones must have been perched in them - probably a lot safer! The majority of English blackbirds seldom move any distance from where they were hatched. Love them or hate them, squirrels are an issue that just won’…, Every window's a potential observation point. With blackbirds, small feeding and roosting aggregation sometimes form at good sites, but there is no proper social interaction. we were woken by the blackbirds alarm call, my OH went outside to see what was going on and a cat ran away. The reason for its success is its adaptability, for it is equally at home in a town park or suburban garden as it is in a remote Welsh wood. I agree that we can just guess really at what age a Blackbird lives to, we see what the oldest ones have lived to but I'd say that wouldn't be like that in most places! I think it is a lot to do with the health, hazards, environment, weather that affects the lifespan of a blackbird. We had a nest last year as well and like the others have said baby blackbirds are unable to fly straight away and wiil stay on the ground being fed by the parents for a few days. I've never tried to befriend any of my Blackbirds like that as everywhere I go I have Bobby in tow and although most of the birds don't bother about me they're not so sure about him. Warm or cold spells in spring can bring the breeding season forward or delay it by several days. A couple of photos would go down a treat too. He looks a real character as they are. I wonder if anyone could give me some advice regarding how to protect the nests of blackbirds we have  in the garden. So with all these young ones, am on pretty permanent cat patrol!!! They're like a bigger Robin in the sense that they're very happy around people. Safe, humane and effective, CatWatch, …, It’s a serious and widely reported problem: fast-flying birds are prone to crash into windows…, Made from powder-coated steel, the Ground Feeder Guardian is just the job if you want to stop large…. Having said that though, if you're not paying too much attention its easy just to say "oh its a Blackbird" rather than "oh its so-and-so who's been coming here x years". Early this morning at 1.30am ! These cleverly designed feeders bring the action clos…, They’re always the first port of call for anyone who’s serious about helping British bi…, Loaded with precious calories, energy-rich suet makes an utterly dependable year-round feeding choi…, Our seed trays attach instantly to the tubular feeder’s base, preventing uneaten food from fa…, This durable, quick-assembly 3-section pole drives easily into a lawn, flower bed or border. Saying that most of the Blackbirds who come here ignore him. Over a species' range all of these factors could vary so the life expectancy would be different. The older birds do not start singing until well into March. It is sad when Blackbird families are preyed upon. Find out more about the partnership, © The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. Studies have shown that the first birds to sing are cocks that were hatched the year before. The first nest was in a large shrub and a couple of weeks ago I found the remains of two very young blackbirds - I think probably a cat, but we do have quite a lot of predatory wild life in the area. It is only the female that incubates the eggs, but the male helps feed his offspring. Katherine Stevenson. Revolutionary Ring-Pull™ is incredibly easy to clean, savin…, Demand attention in the smartest gardens. yes Blackbirds certainly seem to be characters don't they? As Sparrow says, young Blackbirds can't fly so don't worry too much if you see them sitting alone for spells but do be careful regarding cats and Magpies too as they are so vulnerable.