Reproduction ecology of the blackbirds (Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758)

Aydinyan L. G., Hayrapetyan V. T., Yaitsky A. S.

The article studies a breeding ecology of blackbirds (Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758) in Nagorno-Karabakh region. During conducted observations it was found that blackbirds nesting activity begins in spring period, when the air temperature reaches +10…+15°C. The birds have two stages of nesting: the first stage recorded in March–April–May, and the second one – in June–July. Nest usually contain 4 to 5, sometimes 6 eggs. According to conducted observations, breeding period lasts 120–122 days in foothill zone, and 102–106 days in the mountain zone. The first chicks were registered on April 11 to 15, but the dates may vary somewhat depending on the nesting place, which in author’s opinion associated to climatic factors. Chicks are hatching from eggs in 2–3 days. Conducted studies found the presence of deviations in the morphological parameters of blackbird eggs, which in our opinion were caused by the abundance of food in given habitats and the climatic conditions of the area.

Keywords:blackbird; Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758; birds; nest; morphological indicators of eggs; Nagorno-Karabakh; Stepanakert; Tumi; Artashavi; Magavuz; Berdashen; Berkadzor.