Bluethroat Vs Blackbird: Key Differences Explained

The Bluethroat and the Blackbird are both songbirds and can both be seen in the UK. The Blackbird is a common sight all year round whereas the Bluethroat is a rare visitor to these shores.

In this article we’ll be looking at the differences between these two species to enable you to make a positive ID when in the field. Keep reading to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• Blackbirds are larger than Bluethroats
• Bluethroats have distinctive blue throats (males), while Blackbirds are solid black or brown
• Bluethroats prefer wetlands, Blackbirds are more adaptable to various environments
• Both Bluethroats and Blackbirds have melodious songs, but Bluethroats incorporate more mimicry
• Bluethroats are passage migrants in the UK whereas Blackbirds are year round residents

What Is The Difference Between A Bluethroat And A Blackbird?

There are several differences between the Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and the Blackbird (Turdus merula). These differences include;

Visual Differences

Bluethroats are small birds with males having a distinctive blue throat patch which often has a red or white dot in the middle. It also has a brown back, rusty-coloured flanks, and a white belly. Females are less colourful, with a more muted brownish throat and chest.

Blackbirds are medium sized birds and are entirely black with a bright orange-yellow beak and a yellow eye ring. Females are dark brown with a slightly paler throat and chest, lacking the male’s bright beak.

Differences In Habitat

Bluethroats are typically found mainly in marshes, wet meadows, and along riverbanks with dense vegetation. They breed in northern Europe and Asia, including Scandinavia, and migrate to southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia for winter.

Blackbirds are found in a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, parks, and farmlands. They are common across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Many populations are resident, while some northern populations migrate to warmer regions during winter.

Differences In Behaviour

Bluethroats are generally shy and prefer to stay hidden in dense vegetation. They tend to forage close to the ground for insects and other small invertebrates.

Bluethroats are migratory birds, with northern populations migrating south during the winter months. They are only usually seen in the UK as passage migrants.

Bluethroats are primarily insectivorous, feeding on small invertebrates like insects and spiders. They may also eat berries and seeds.

Blackbirds are more common in urban gardens, parks, and woodlands. They are often seen hopping on lawns, searching for worms and insects. Blackbirds are less shy than Bluethroats and more accustomed to human presence.

Many Blackbirds are resident, but some populations in colder regions migrate south during winter.

Blackbirds are omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of foods including earthworms, insects, fruits, and berries.

Nests & Eggs

When it comes to nest building, the female Bluethroat is the nest builder. She will construct a cup-shaped nest from leaves and grass typically hidden in dense vegetation close to a water source. It will be situated either directly on the ground or close to it.

She will lay a clutch of anywhere between 4 to 8 pale blue or bluish-green eggs which are covered in reddish-brown speckles. The eggs are around 18 x 14 mm in size and weigh around 2 grams. The altricial chicks hatch after around 13 to 15 days of incubation which is carried out solely by the female.

The nest of the Blackbird is far stronger and more secure than that of the Bluethroat. It is constructed from twigs, straw, grass and plant materials and fashioned into a cup shape and placed either in trees, shrubs, climbing shrubs or sometimes on the ground. 

The nest is then lined with mud and fine grass in order to strengthen it and make it secure enough for the eggs and chicks. The female will then lay a clutch of 3 to 5 pale greenish-blue eggs covered in reddish-brown spots. 

Each egg is around 29 x 21 mm in size and weighs around 7.2 grams. The eggs are incubated for around 12 to 14 days by the female before the altricial chicks hatch.

Bird Calls

The Bluethroat has a rich, melodious song that often includes mimicking other birds. It is especially vocal during the breeding season.

Blackbirds are well-known for their melodious, flute-like songs, which are often delivered from perches. Their song is varied, loud, and mellow, making them one of the best-known songbirds.

Size & Weight

Bluethroats are the smaller of the two with an average adult measuring around 14 cm in length and boasting a wingspan of around 20 to 23 cm. The average weight of a Bluethroat is around 20 grams.

Blackbirds can measure anywhere between 24 to 25 cm with a wingspan of around 34 to 38.5 cm. The average weight of an adult Blackbird is anywhere between 80 to 100 grams, which is 4 or 5 times as heavy as an adult Bluethroat.

SEE ALSO: Mediterranean Gull Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

Frequently Asked Questions