Common blackbirds (Turdus merula) are a widespread breeding songbird across Europe, inhabiting a range of habitats, from gardens to natural forests. Interestingly, the species shows a remarkable variation in migratory behaviour: some populations are fully migratory, other are partially migratory (with both resident and migratory individuals) and some are entirely resident.

We study the resident population on the island of Helgoland by individually marking birds with unique colour ring combinations as well collecting biological samples to evaluate their physiology. In addition, we capture migratory individuals that use the island during autumn and winter, providing a unique opportunity to compare residents and migrants and to understand the physiological mechanisms underlying their different life strategies.

In collaboration with researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, we also use novel tracking technologies to study the behaviour of migratory individuals. This information is combined with physiological parameters, such as mitochondrial physiology, hormone levels and oxidative stress to gain an integrated understanding, from the organelle to the individual, of avian migration.