When Do Blackbirds Nest?
How Long Do Blackbirds Nest?
Where Do Blackbirds Nest?
How do blackbirds build their nests?
When do little blackbirds leave the nest?
How many broods does a blackbird have?
Do blackbirds nest in the same place every year?
Do Blackbirds Use Nest Boxes?
blackbird (Black-billed turtle), is a very interesting bird in terms of its nesting habits. They employ an in-and-out approach to nest building and raising young, but for this breeding technique to work, everything has to be right. So, how do blackbirds prepare nests for their young? Well, let’s find out in this blackbird nesting guide.
Although blackbird chicks are ready to fled in 13 to 14 days, female blackbirds take about two weeks to build their nests. It’s surprising that thrushes take so long to build their nests after not needing to build them at all for so long. In fact, the chicks can leave the nest after nine days and survive!
So why go to such great lengths to build such a good nest in the first place? Well, as we will see, blackbirds use their nests for many seasons, and because of where blackbirds nest, they need to be very well built.
Blackbird nests are constructed of twigs, grass, straw, and other plant material that is shaped like a cup. Nothing strange yet. However, when the cup was complete, Blackbird lined it with dirt and added a layer of fine grass in the middle. They do this because they like to nest under the right cover. So, they must have a strong den to protect their young.
| Key Facts About Blackbird Nesting | |
|---|---|
| nesting season | March to July, sometimes to August |
| nesting material | Twigs, grass, straw, plant material |
| nested type | cup shape |
| nest location | Trees, Shrubs and Climbers |
| brood number | Usually 2 – 3, but sometimes up to 5 |
| clutch size | 3 to 5 eggs |
| egg color | Pale greenish blue with reddish brown spots |
| egg size | 29 x 21 mm |
| egg weight | 7.2 grams |
| incubation period | 12 – 14 days, by female |
| fledgling period | 13 – 14 days after hatching |
| reuse nest | Rarely, but often use the same breeding area |
| using nest boxes | Yes |
A blackbird’s nest with 4 light blue eggs inside
When Do Blackbirds Nest?
Blackbirds build nests during the breeding season. Their breeding season runs from early March to late July, but some continue until later in the year, and chicks are often found in nests in August.
Warm and cold weather in spring often delays or advances the breeding season. Interestingly, the nesting season starts two weeks earlier in the garden than in the woodland.
Blackbirds need a nest before the breeding season begins. This is built by the female and takes two weeks to complete. However, because they are so well constructed, blackbirds can often use the same nest for multiple breeding seasons.
Female blackbird feeds chicks insects, in the nest
How Long Do Blackbirds Nest?
Blackbirds will build nests whenever their chicks need protection. This is usually only 13-14 days, and some chicks can leave the nest after 9 days if the nest is threatened by predators.
Building a blackbird nest can take up to two weeks, however, this can vary depending on the availability of suitable materials and the time it takes to find a suitable location.
It might seem odd that they spend as long building their nests as they do raising their young. But the nest needs to be strong. Blackbirds like to nest in shrubs, climbing plants, and small trees. Some even build nests on the ground.
While many birds use the natural structure of trees to keep their nests strong, most blackbirds cannot. Instead, they use twigs, grass, straw, and dirt to keep their nests organized.
Where Do Blackbirds Nest?
Blackbirds like to nest in low places. Some will nest in trees, but others prefer the cover of shrubs or even climbers. There are even some blackbirds that nest on the floor, although this is usually under the cover of a shrub or something.
Since blackbirds prefer to nest close to the ground, there is always the danger of predators entering the nest. However, blackbirds have the ability to fly fast. In most cases, blackbird chicks leave the nest after about 14 days and learn to fly within a week. A typical clutch size for a Blackbird is 3-5. Because they learn to fend for themselves so quickly, many chicks survive the nesting period.
Male blackbird (Turdus merula) perched on a branch
How do blackbirds build their nests?
Blackbirds are very clever at building nests. They start with a layer of twigs, grass and straw. They weave this material into a large cup. Then they lined it with mud. The finishing touch is to sprinkle the nest with fine grass for egg laying. All in all, female blackbirds take two weeks to complete.
We’re not sure what the male blackbirds are doing during this time, and I bet the females want to know the same thing!
Blackbirds effectively create thorns and daubs by adding dirt to their nests. We used to build our houses out of thorns and daubs. It’s very strong (almost as strong as concrete) and holds up well to the elements. It also provides structure for their nests and some security for the chicks.
Since blackbirds like to nest close to the ground (and sometimes on the ground), their nests need to be well camouflaged and very sturdy. Some birds use the natural cups and holes in trees to keep their nests strong. However, blackbirds only nest in smaller trees, shrubs and climbing plants. Something without much structure.
Female blackbird collecting nesting material to build a nest
When do little blackbirds leave the nest?
Young blackbirds leave the nest about 13-14 days after hatching. You might see a baby blackbird or two before then, though, as they are able to fly as soon as they are a week old.
They usually pack up and leave Mom and Dad in about two weeks, though. However, if the nest is in danger, the blackbird can leave it and survive for 9 days.
juvenile blackbird
How many broods does a blackbird have?
Blackbirds can raise 3-5 broods a year. However, most years, it is 2-3 litters. If they feel the conditions are right, they may try to raise more chicks. Most blackbirds start nesting in March, but some chicks can still be found in nests in August.
Do blackbirds nest in the same place every year?
Blackbirds are known to use the same nest year after year, but not always. They tend to return to the same places to nest, but they don’t necessarily use the same nest.
The beautiful thrush mates for life, and the female and the male work together to choose nesting sites that make the female feel as comfortable as possible. She then has to build her nest while the males go to the Three Crows pub for a pint and catch up, but we’ll cover that.
Do Blackbirds Use Nest Boxes?
Blackbirds will often use a suitable nest box.
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Expert Q&A
question
Are blackbird nests easily disturbed by us humans?
The BirdFact team
Blackbirds sometimes seem to have a higher tolerance than other birds when it comes to their nests. This can vary widely by location and individual bird, though.
We know of a few cases of blackbirds nesting in bushes close to roads, fairly exposed, and they weren’t really bothered by people and cars passing by.
As with all nesting birds, disturbance should be avoided, which may mean cutting things like hedges later in the year when the birds have finished raising their young.
question
How long does it take for blackbirds to hatch from egg laying?
The BirdFact team
On average, blackbird eggs incubate for about 13 days before hatching. The range is typically 10 to 19 days.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
