Blackbirds are one of the UK’s most recognisable and beloved garden birds. Their melodious song and striking appearance make them a joy to observe, but ensuring they receive the right food in a responsible way is key to supporting their health and well-being.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding blackbirds in your garden, including the best food choices, feeding habits, and tips to attract and support them.
While male blackbirds are unmistakable with their jet-black feathers and bright orange-yellow beaks, their behaviours and sounds are just as helpful in identifying them. Here’s what to look for:
Blackbird Song & Calls
- Male blackbirds have a rich, flute-like song, often heard at dawn and dusk throughout spring and summer.
- Their alarm call is a sharp, repetitive ‘chink-chink’ sound.
- Fledglings and females make softer, more subtle contact calls.
Blackbird Movement & Behaviour
- Blackbirds hop across lawns rather than walk, stopping frequently to cock their heads and listen for worms.
- They often flick leaves and soil aside while foraging and this movement gives away the presence of a blackbird.
- In flight, their movement is swift and direct, with a characteristic downward gliding motion before landing.
Colour & Appearance
- Males are entirely black with a bright orange-yellow beak and eye-ring.
- Females are brown with speckled chests and a darker beak.
- Juveniles resemble females but have a more mottled appearance and may appear slightly scruffy.
What Do Blackbirds Eat in the Wild?
In their natural habitat of woodland and hedgerow, blackbirds consume:
- Insects and worms: A key part of their diet, especially during spring and summer.
- Fruits and berries: Blackbirds enjoy blackberries, hawthorn berries, rowan, holly, along with wild fruits such as apples and pears.
- Seeds and grains: Occasionally eaten, but not their primary food source.
Understanding their natural diet helps us choose the best foods for blackbirds in our gardens.
What to Feed Blackbirds in My Garden
To replicate their natural diet and ensure they receive proper nutrition, offer:
Best Food for Blackbirds
- Mealworms A top choice, mimicking their natural insect diet.
- Suet and fat balls Provide energy, especially in winter.
- Soaked sultanas and currants Easier to digest than dry fruit.
- Specialist blackbird seed mixes These contain sunflower hearts, raisins, and mealworms.
- Pinhead oats and porridge oats Avoid sugary or flavoured varieties.
- Soft fruits Chopped apples, pears, grapes, or soaked raisins.
Foods to Avoid
- Dry hard foods Whole peanuts or dry bread can pose choking hazards.
- Salty or processed foods Can be harmful to birds.
- Milk or cheese Birds cannot digest milk, and it can be toxic.
How to Attract Blackbirds to Your Garden
Creating a welcoming environment for blackbirds is just as important as providing food. Here’s how to encourage them to visit:
-
Use Ground or Low-Level Feeders
Blackbirds prefer feeding at ground level. Place food on a flat surface or a low bird table rather than hanging feeders designed for smaller birds. -
Provide Fresh Water
A shallow bird bath for drinking and bathing is essential. Refresh water daily, especially in winter when it may freeze. -
Grow Berry-Producing Plants
Encourage natural foraging by planting blackberries, hawthorn, rowan, holly, or pyracantha, which provide berries in autumn and winter. - Maintain a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
- Leave areas of leaf litter, grass cuttings, and mulch to encourage earthworms and insects.
- Allow parts of your garden to remain undisturbed, providing nesting sites and shelter.
- Avoid pesticides to ensure their food sources of caterpillars and grubs remain safe.
When and How Often to Feed Blackbirds
Best Time to Feed Blackbirds
Winter & Early Spring When natural food sources are scarce, providing extra nourishment from sunflower hearts, suet, and oats is crucial.
- During Nesting Season (Spring & Summer) Protein-rich foods like mealworms and suet pellets support feeding fledglings.
- Autumn Fruit and berry offerings help blackbirds prepare for winter.
How Much to Feed
Offer small, regular portions rather than large amounts that may attract pests. Always clear uneaten food to maintain hygiene.
Common Blackbird Behaviours in the Garden
Nesting & Breeding
- Blackbirds nest in hedges, shrubs, or ivy about 3ft – 6 ft off the ground.
- They lay 3-5 mottled blue-green eggs per clutch and can raise multiple broods in a season.
- Parent birds rely on soft foods like insects, caterpillars, and mealworms to feed their chicks.
Territorial Disputes
Males are particularly territorial in spring and may chase away rivals from their feeding areas.
How to Protect Blackbirds from Predators
Blackbirds can fall prey to cats, foxes, and larger birds. To keep them safe:
- Position feeders away from cover where predators may hide.
- Use spiked collars on bird tables to deter climbing threats.
- Encourage dense shrubs where blackbirds can take refuge.
FAQs About Feeding Blackbirds
Can blackbirds eat sunflower seeds?
Yes, but they prefer sunflower hearts, as they struggle with husked seeds.
Do blackbirds use bird feeders?
Not typically. They prefer ground feeding or large, open trays.
Is it okay to feed blackbirds bread?
Only occasionally, and in small moist pieces. Wholemeal is better than white but all bread offers little nutritional value to blackbirds.
Why do blackbirds chase each other in the garden?
They are territorial, especially in breeding season. Providing multiple feeding areas can reduce aggression.
What should I do if I find a baby blackbird?
If the chick is feathered and active, it is likely a fledgling learning to fly. Observe from a distance, as the parents are usually nearby. Only intervene if the bird is injured or in immediate danger.
How can I stop blackbirds from eating all the food?
Blackbirds can be dominant and patrol feeding areas. Provide food in multiple locations and use covered, caged or hanging feeders to allow smaller birds access.
Why do blackbirds flick leaves and soil around?
This is natural foraging behaviour. They search for insects, worms, and other invertebrates hidden beneath leaves and soil.
Final Thoughts
Feeding blackbirds responsibly ensures they remain healthy while benefiting your garden with their presence and beautiful song. With bird numbers declining due to habitat loss and diminishing hedgerows, your garden can become a crucial refuge for these beloved birds. By providing the right food, fresh water, and a safe environment, you are not only enjoying their visits but actively contributing to their survival.
Take pleasure in watching them forage, listening to their melodic song, and knowing that every small action helps support blackbird populations.
