Worldwide Birder

Do Blackbirds Migrate – Why Do Blackbirds Disappear In August?

Eurasian Blackbirds—otherwise known as “Common Blackbirds”–are up there with tit birds the most charming and beloved songbirds in the UK. Those in the United Kingdom often add food for blackbirds to their yards, while many eagerly anticipate Common Blackbird nesting.

Although many are fond of blackbirds, some have noted that these creatures seemingly vanish during August before returning several months later. Does this mean blackbirds migrate, or do they merely keep a low profile in the winter? Please keep reading as I discuss the question, “Do blackbirds migrate from the UK?”.

Table of Contents

Do Blackbirds Migrate?

Summers in the United Kingdom are filled with the sounds of many sweet bird songs. Common Blackbirds add their songs to the summer chorus that fills the air, but what happens to blackbirds when the breeding season is over? Do blackbirds migrate from the UK?

Yes, some Eurasian Blackbirds indeed migrate before winter. However, those living in the United Kingdom do not tend to be migratory. Instead, such individuals often linger around a small home range throughout the year. Resident blackbirds are often joined by individuals from locations such as Iceland, Sweden, and Norway during the winter.

When Do Blackbirds Migrate?

Those curious about when migrants may join the resident blackbirds in their backyards will want to know more about the timing of blackbird migration. So, when do blackbirds migrate from the UK?

Well, blackbird migration takes place over several weeks. The times in which specific blackbirds migrate are dependent upon how far south a bird is travelling from its breeding grounds.

A male Eurasian Blackbird feeds on a berry in a snow-covered tree.
Blackbirds use cues and weigh several factors when deciding when to migrate.

Many blackbirds that breed in places such as Russia and Finland will travel hundreds of kilometres to find a suitable spot for the winter. Meanwhile, migrants in Eastern Europe don’t have to travel as far, meaning they do not need to head south as early as their northern counterparts.

This study suggests that blackbird migration commences in early October and continues throughout the month. Some may leave their breeding ground earlier, but October is seemingly the busiest month for southbound blackbird migration. Therefore, they begin their migration later than birds like British swallows, but they still depart at a normal time for songbirds. 

Northbound blackbird migration typically commences in March or April as the snow begins to melt in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Most pairs have returned to their breeding grounds by mid-May.

Why Do Blackbirds Disappear In August?

Okay, we’ve so far established that blackbirds who breed in the United Kingdom rarely migrate. However, if this is the case, then why do blackbirds seem to vanish in August? Why do blackbirds disappear in August?

Well, August happens to be around the time that many blackbirds are wrapping up their nesting activities for the season. After the last young of the season fledge and set off on their own, mature blackbirds will abandon their nest. This is a time in which it is common for blackbirds to vacate their nesting territory and start settling into their winter territory.

A female Eurasian Blackbird clings to a branch in a barren tree.
Blackbirds may seem to disappear in August when they leave their nesting territories for winter territories.

A blackbird’s winter territory may overlap with its nesting range, but it also may be a completely separate location. Therefore, blackbirds that seem to disappear in August are probably just moving away from their nesting territories in favor of their winter territory.

Where Do Blackbirds Go In Winter?

Eurasian Blackbirds may end up in an assortment of locations during the winter. As discussed, birds in the UK and much of Europe tend to remain in the same locations throughout the year. However, blackbirds from the Nordic countries and Russia often head south for the winter. So, where do blackbirds migrate to in the winter?

Birds from these locations may travel to the United Kingdom or central Europe during the nonbreeding season. Some may end up in places such as Portugal, Italy, and Greece. On rare occasions, individuals may winter in Turkey or Northern Africa.

We’ve now discussed where blackbirds are spending their winters, so now we can focus on what blackbirds do when they return to breed following spring migration. Do blackbirds return to the same garden?

Do Blackbirds Return To The Same Garden?

If you observe a pair of male and female blackbirds in your yard or garden annually, you may wonder if the same birds are returning to your garden every year. Do blackbirds return to the same garden annually?

Well, it turns out that landowners have good chances of hosting the same blackbirds in their gardens each year!

Studies have shown that Eurasian Blackbirds have high nest site fidelity, so pairs are likely to return to nest in the same location every year. The chances of this happening increase substantially if a pair successfully raised young at a nest site in the previous year. Meanwhile, blackbirds that have had multiple nest failures at a location are more likely to move on and find a different place to nest.

Therefore, if we consider the question, “How long do blackbirds return to the same garden?” then we will know that this answer will depend on the success of the blackbird pair. However, know that successful pairs will likely continue returning to the same gardens.

A male Eurasian Blackbird stands on a fence overlooking a grassy swale.
Blackbirds quite often return to nest in the same location in consecutive years.

How Long Do Blackbirds Live For?

Those who have lived in the same place for more than a decade may be hopeful that a pair of Eurasian Blackbirds on their property has included the same birds for all that time. So, how long do blackbirds live?

Unfortunately, it is not likely that anyone has hosted the same blackbirds for more than a few years. You see, it’s a difficult world out there for blackbirds. These birds have to contend with numerous daily threats ranging from sparrowhawks to feral cats. The perils that these animals face often limit the lives of adults to only a few years.

Now, the luckiest blackbirds can survive for around 10 years in the wild, but it would be unprecedented for a pair to survive such a long time. Longtime homeowners may have a descendant of the original blackbird pair on their property but don’t expect your feathered friends to survive for longer than a few years.

Where Have All The Blackbirds Gone?

Some has asserted that they have blackbirds for certain times of year but then they suddenly don’t see blackbirds a few weeks after the breeding season. So, where have all the blackbirds gone?

Well, if you live in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, or Russia, many of your breeding blackbirds may simply migrate to warmer locales for the winter.

Winter should be a time in which the United Kingdom hosts its peak numbers of blackbirds. However, some UK residents report blackbirds seemingly vanishing from their yards after August. What’s up with that?

Well, the likely explanation is that the blackbird family from that person’s yard is doing some post-breeding exploration. This does not typically involve birds moving far away. Rather, they may have found an enticing blackbird food source a kilometre or two away and decided to spend some time in that area.

Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about blackbird migration! Let’s briefly go over some of the main points from this article:

  • Do blackbirds migrate?
    • Yes, some blackbirds are migratory, although birds in the UK tend to be nonmigratory.
  • Why do blackbirds disappear in August?
    • Blackbirds seemingly disappear in August because they wrap up nesting at this time and move to new food sources.
  • Do blackbirds return to the same garden?
    • Yes, blackbirds will return to the same garden if they successfully raise young there.
  • Where do blackbirds go in the winter? 
    • Blackbirds from some European countries migrate south, but UK blackbirds may remain around their breeding territory or make a short flight to a different winter territory. 
  • How long do blackbirds live?
    • Most blackbirds won’t live to be a year old.