BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE COMMON BLACKBIRD TURDUS-MERULA IN AUSTRALIA

RAOU Nest Records of Common Blackbirds Turdus merula, from 1963-64 to 1986-87, were analysed (ii = 1284). The results showed that Common Bla ckbirds breed predominantly in urban habitats selecting low, exotic sh rubs as nest sites, but neither habitat nor nest environs affected siz e of clutch, brood or number of fledglings. Breeding sea son was Augus t to February; median clutch size was 4.0 (mean 3.5). For successful n ests median brood size was 3.0 (mean 3.1), and median number of fledgl ings 3.0 (mean 2.75). Nest failure (58.6%) was more common than succes s, and predation (33.1%) the most common cause of failure. Success in urban habitats was 44.9% and in woodlands/forests 33.6%. Predation was more common (47%) in woodlands/forests than urban habitats (27.6%). R esults of these analyses were compared with data from New Zealand and Europe.