Blackbird in Vyborg imitates ambulance siren

A blackbird was spotted in Mon Repos Park in Vyborg. Biologist and author of the Telegram channel Kazhdoy tvari po pare (A Pair for Every Creature) Pavel Glazkov reported the finding on January 28. Although most representatives of this species winter in Western Europe, some individuals remain in the Northwestern region of Russia.

Bluish-black plumage is characteristic exclusively of males. They also have bright yellow beaks and distinct yellow rings around their eyes. Females are colored more modestly, with their feathers having a brownish hue. In St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, adult males more often remain for the winter.

From the second half of February, forests and parks are filled with their melodious singing. According to some amateur ornithologists, in vocal skill, the blackbird even surpasses the nightingale.

Pavel Glazkov noted:

This bird has the ability to mimic sounds. There is a known case when a blackbird imitated an ambulance siren and a mobile phone ringtone.

These birds often nest within the city limits of St. Petersburg. Closer to the beginning of May, the female lays three to seven bluish eggs. Blackbirds form stable pairs that usually last a lifetime.