Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

De Boodt probably compiled his ‘three large books’ as follows: one for plants, one for animals and one for birds. In the early 19th century, all of the drawings were re-bound, creating twelve albums – presumably because the bird album had been damaged. Traces of this are visible on this page in the upper right corner. In some instances, birds are missing a beak, leg or some feathers. This blackbird though was left unscathed.