The adult male is unmistakable, glossy black with a bright yellow bill and eye-ring. The female is dark brown overall, with a slightly paler throat and breast that often show faint streaking or spots. Juveniles in summer are brown with pale spotting on the back and a spotted breast, while first-year males appear duller black than adults and have a less vivid yellow bill. This species occurs in woodlands, parks, gardens, and hedged farmland, and is often seen feeding on lawns and in open fields. Its rich, melodious song is a familiar sound in towns and suburbs with trees and hedgerows. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has also been introduced to southeastern Australia, New Zealand, and nearby islands

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