| | Gallery: Blackbirds |  | 
 One of the most typical garden birds and also very beautiful. Also one of the few garden birds where male and female are quite different in appearance. 
 Pictures
 |  | Female blackbird (Turdus merula) at a bird table. This prominent 'tail cocking' is quite commonly seen immediately after the bird alights.
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 |  | Pyracantha is a good garden shrub for attracting birds. The thorny branches provide protection for nests and the berries provide food in winter.
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 |  | In this shot the black of the plumage looks rather more subtle. The contrast between the black feathers and the brilliant yellow bill and eye-ring make this a very handsome bird.
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 |  | Female blackbirds are sometimes mistaken for thrushes and it's easy to see why from this photo. She is not plain brown as many people think, but has a speckled breast just like a thrush. The contrast between the markings and the base colour of the breast is not as great as with a thrush though.
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 |  | This very alert male may be aware of something 'not quite right' - i.e. the cameraman concealed in a hide!
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