Description
Turdus merula
Date 1700-1880
Source/Photographer Iconographia Zoologica
Old Latin name Turdus merula
New Latin name Turdus merula
Common name Nederlands: Merel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turdus_merula_-_1700-1880_-_Print_-_Iconographia_Zoologica_-_Special_Collections_University_of_Amsterdam_-_UBA01_IZ16300237.tif

The common blackbird or Eurasian blackbird or simply blackbird (Turdus merula) is a species of true thrush. It breeds in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The common blackbird was described by Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae in 1758 as Turdus merula (characterised as T. ater, rostro palpebrisque fulvis). The binomial name derives from two Latin words, turdus, "thrush", and merula, "blackbird", the latter giving rise to its French name, merle, and its Scots name, merl.