01
die Amsel
blackbird
A songbird widespread in Europe, whose male has black plumage and a yellow beak.
example
Jeden Morgen singt eine Amsel auf dem Baum vor meinem Fenster.
Every morning, a blackbird sings in the tree in front of my window.
die Amsel
blackbird
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Meanings
Usage tips
Typical collocations
The blackbird is especially known for its song. That is why it is very often combined with the verbs 'singen' (to sing) and 'pfeifen' (to whistle).
EXAMPLE
Ich wache jeden Morgen auf, weil eine Amsel vor dem Fenster pfeift.
I wake up every morning because a blackbird is whistling outside the window.
Cultural context
The blackbird is one of the best-known and most widespread birds in German gardens and parks. For many people, its song is a familiar everyday sound.
EXAMPLE
Im Frühling hört man die Amseln überall in der Stadt.
In spring, you can hear blackbirds everywhere in the city.
Habitat
When people talk about blackbirds, it is often in connection with their typical habitat. Common phrases are 'eine Amsel im Garten' (a blackbird in the garden), 'auf dem Baum' (in the tree), or 'im Park' (in the park).
EXAMPLE
Eine Amsel hat in unserem Apfelbaum ein Nest gebaut.
A blackbird has built a nest in our apple tree.
Compare with
Amsel vs Star
star / starling / cataract
'der Star' and 'die Amsel' can both refer to songbirds. However, they are different bird species. A starling often has dark, metallic-shimmering plumage and is frequently found in large flocks. A blackbird is very common in gardens; the male is black and has a yellow beak. What can be confusing is that 'Star' can also mean a famous person. With birds, the context helps: in a garden with a yellow beak, it is often an 'Amsel' (blackbird); in a large flock, more likely a 'Star' (starling).
Amsel
Auf dem Zaun saß eine Amsel mit gelbem Schnabel und sang laut.
A blackbird with a yellow beak was sitting on the fence and singing loudly.
Star
Im Herbst flogen viele Stare in einem großen Schwarm über das Feld.
In autumn, many starlings flew over the field in a large flock.
In real life
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