Medium-sized thrush, feeds mainly on insects and earthworms; also fruit from late summer to early winter. Nominate merula: W Europe; cabrerae: Madeira and W Canary Islands; aterrimus: SE Europe to Crete, Rhodes, Caucasus, Transcaucasia and N Iran; syriacus: S Turkey to Syria, N Iraq and S Iran; azorensis: Azores; mauritanicus: N Africa. Inhabits dense woodland, varied types of farmland, heaths, moors, some wetlands, and settled sites including inner cities. Population is increasing and the status is Least Concern. Resident and migratory, with northern populations moving south or west.