THE public is urged to report sightings of unusual birds following a recent confirmed blackbird sighting in the Donnybrook area.
Department of Agriculture and Food biosecurity officer James Sheehan said the female blackbird was reported earlier this month and surveillance was being undertaken by department staff to determine if there were any other birds in the area.
“Efforts are still underway to remove the female bird. We are calling on the public to be vigilant and immediately report any sightings of unusual birds,’ he said.
“Blackbirds are not an established pest in Western Australia. Prior to this find, the last reported blackbird in WA was in 2007.”
Mr Sheehan said in the Eastern States, blackbirds caused damage to orchards and vineyards and their numbers continued to grow.
“These birds have the potential to cause considerable damage to Western Australia’s fruit crops, including grapes and cherries, if they become established here,” he said.
Blackbirds are 23 to 29 cm long and have a wingspan of 34 to 38 cm.
The male is glossy black with brown-black legs, a yellow eye-ring and a bright orange to yellow bill. The female is dark grey-brown with mottled light grey-brown underparts, and dull brownish-yellow bill. Blackbirds are prolific breeders, able to raise up to three clutches of chicks a year.
Blackbirds mostly forage on the ground amongst leaf litter or on lawns, eating a wide variety of foods such as ground invertebrates, flying insects, earthworms and fruits such as cherries, peaches, nectarine and berries.
The blackbird is a declared pest in Western Australia, and any found here must be removed to ensure they do not become a serious agricultural and environmental pest.
You can report any unusual birds to the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881 or info@agric.wa.gov.au.
