Nature Information

The Hidden Gardeners of Nature: Blackbirds and Olive Trees

Unveiling the miraculous process of olive pit germination and the indispensable contribution of blackbirds in sustaining the natural cycle of olive trees.

Neziralp

Published in

Write A Catalyst

4 min readJul 7, 2024

Every step we take in nature is filled with fascinating events that often go unnoticed, miracles we pass by without realizing. One such event is hidden in the emergence of olive trees.

Have you ever wondered why olive pits don’t germinate when thrown into the ground? The answer lies with the small black gardeners of nature, the blackbirds.

The Secret of Olive Pit Germination

While walking through lands where olive trees grow, some may have noticed that most olive pits lying on the ground do not sprout.

The woody and hard structure of the olive tree also makes the olive pits extremely hard.

Therefore, the seedlings inside the pits cannot break through this hard shell to take root in the soil. So, how do olive trees multiply?

The Hidden Gardeners of Nature: Blackbirds

Not only do humans love olives, but the small black birds of nature, the blackbirds (Turdus merula), also adore them.

Blackbirds, which are 24–25 cm long with black feathers and yellow-orange beaks, are known for their love of olives.

These charming birds swallow the olives in one gulp and digest the fleshy parts in their crops. However, like humans, they cannot digest the woody olive pits.

The Digestion Miracle of Blackbirds

The small stones and strong acids in the blackbirds’ digestive systems thin and soften the hard shells of olive pits. This process provides the necessary transformation for the pits to germinate when they fall to the ground.

In nature, only the olive pits that pass through the digestive systems of blackbirds can sprout when they land in the soil. This highlights the crucial role blackbirds play in the propagation of olive trees.

The Importance of Protecting Blackbirds

Blackbirds are an integral part of the natural propagation cycle of olive trees.

If we hunt these little friends to extinction, there will be no new olive trees in the future, and eventually, the species of olive trees will also be at risk.

Therefore, protecting blackbirds is vital to preserving olive trees and the natural balance.

Conclusion

The complex yet simple functioning of nature always presents us with awe-inspiring surprises. The secret of olive pit germination lies in the digestive systems of blackbirds.

The significant impact of these small birds on nature once again reminds us how important and irreplaceable every part of nature is. Protecting these miracles of nature is in our hands.

Let’s remember that every olive tree and blackbird is part of the magnificent cycle of nature.

References

Olive Tree and Blackbird Interaction: “Olives and Blackbirds” by E. J. Ford (2018), Journal of Avian Ecology, Volume 12, Issue 3, Pages 217–223.
Blackbird Digestion: “The Role of Blackbirds in Seed Dispersal” by M. H. Rodriguez (2020), Botanical Review, Volume 56, Issue 2, Pages 189–202.
Germination of Olive Pits: “Germination Strategies of Hard-Shelled Seeds” by L. P. Martin (2017), Plant Science Today, Volume 34, Issue 1, Pages 45–59.
Conservation of Blackbirds: “Conservation Status of Turdus Merula” by the Global Bird Conservation Society (2021), Conservation Reports, Issue 45, Pages 78–85.