Eurasian Blackbird

The introduced Eurasian blackbird, or manu pango, is New Zealand’s most widely distributed bird species. Adult males are entirely black with a yellow bill and eye-ring; females and juveniles are dark brown and only lightly mottled, unlike the strongly spotted song thrush.

It occurs throughout mainland New Zealand and most vegetated offshore islands, from sea level to about 1,500 m. Blackbirds forage mainly on the ground for earthworms, insects, spiders, snails and slugs, and also take berries and orchard fruit.

Gardens, parks, orchards and forest tracks throughout the country provide easy sightings.