Blacky Rounds the Magic Circle

A male blackbird circles his territory casting his spells. At each new post, he meets new threats – sometimes with a low register swagger; a brief bel canto display; then calling out to distance, now a boisterous vocal challenge; then again calling into distance.

After chasing off a rival with alarm calls and muttered threats coming full circle he takes his sentry perch near his nest, whistling a calming ‘good night’.

To me the male blackbird is a comedic character (commedia dell’arte) with his sooty black plumage and orange bill. His short bursts of melody ending in wild up swoops remind me of a mercurial, volatile Arlecchino with a black mask and (orange) bat-stick, acrobatically seeing off the opposition.

©T.J. Correa-Hunt, 2025