The «Days of the Blackbird» — i giorni della merla in Italian — are 29, 30 and 31 January, which Italian tradition holds to be the coldest days of the year. The name comes from a folk legend about a blackbird that hid in a chimney to survive the cold and came out with her feathers turned grey with soot. A weather proverb goes with it: if those three days are bitterly cold, spring will come early; if they are mild, spring will be late. It is one of the best-known pieces of Italian folk weather lore, and it is still very much alive in the mountain villages of the Dolomites.
The Days of the Blackbird at a glance
- Italian name: i giorni della merla («the days of the female blackbird»)
- When: 29, 30 and 31 January, every year
- What it means: traditionally the coldest days of the Italian winter
- The proverb: cold Days of the Blackbird mean an early spring; mild ones mean a late spring
- The legend: a blackbird sheltered in a chimney for three days and emerged grey with soot — which is why females are grey and males glossy black
- Where it is kept alive: across Italy, and especially in the alpine valleys of the Belluno Dolomites
- Is it scientifically true? No. Meteorological records do not show late January as reliably the coldest period.
🕊️ The “Days of the Blackbird”: Italian Folklore and Winter Tales from the Dolomites
Between January 29 and 31, Italian folklore marks the arrival of the “Days of the Blackbird” — traditionally known as the coldest days of the year.
Deeply rooted in the rural culture of the Dolomites and beyond, these days blend weather myths, seasonal beliefs, and storytelling.
But where does this curious name come from? And what’s the meaning behind it?
❄️ A Seasonal Tradition Passed Down Through Time
According to the proverb, if the Days of the Blackbird are bitterly cold, spring will arrive early and be beautiful.
If they are mild or warm, spring will come late.
While modern weather statistics don’t confirm this belief, the story continues to live on in Italian mountain folklore, especially in alpine regions where the rhythm of nature has always shaped daily life.
📚 The Legend of the Blackbird
The name comes from a charming legend:
Once upon a time, a female blackbird and her chicks, originally black-feathered like the males of their species, sought shelter in a chimney to escape the freezing temperatures.
After three days hidden away, they emerged on February 1st — alive, but covered in soot.
From that day on, they remained permanently grey, while the males stayed shiny black with orange-yellow beaks.
🔥 January: The Mischievous Month
Another version tells of a clever blackbird who grew tired of January’s tricks.
At that time, January had only 28 days. To avoid his icy winds, the bird stocked up on food and hid for the whole month.
On the 29th, thinking winter was over, she came out to sing. But January, angered by her joy, borrowed three days from February and unleashed snow, wind, and bitter cold.
She took refuge again inside a chimney. When she finally came out, her feathers had turned grey from the smoke, and they never turned black again.
🌿 A Bridge Between Winter and Spring
Today, the Days of the Blackbird are more of a symbolic turning point than a reliable weather forecast.
They represent the clash between winter’s grip and spring’s promise, a time when nature is quiet but full of meaning.
For those in the Dolomites, it’s a moment to reflect on tradition, nature, and the poetic power of storytelling.
📌 Quick Facts Recap
📅 When? January 29–31 (sometimes includes February 1)
❄️ Belief: Cold blackbird days = early spring; warm = delayed spring
🐦 Origin: From a legend about a blackbird hiding from the cold
🔥 Meaning: A story of survival, transformation, and the changing seasons
Days of the Blackbird: frequently asked questions
What are the Days of the Blackbird?
They are 29, 30 and 31 January, the three days that Italian tradition considers the coldest of the year. In Italian they are called i giorni della merla.
Why are they called the Days of the Blackbird?
Because of a legend about a female blackbird who took shelter in a chimney to escape the January cold. When she came out three days later her feathers were grey with soot — which is how folk tradition explains why female blackbirds are grey while males are black.
What does «merla» mean in Italian?
Merla is the female of merlo, the common blackbird (Turdus merula). The male is glossy black with a bright orange-yellow beak; the female really is brown-grey, which is what gave the legend its hook.
Are the Days of the Blackbird really the coldest of the year?
Not according to the records. Modern meteorological data do not single out the end of January as reliably the coldest stretch of the Italian winter. The tradition survives as folklore, not as a forecast.
What does the proverb say?
That if the Days of the Blackbird are bitterly cold, spring will arrive early and be beautiful; if they are mild, spring will be late.
How are they celebrated?
There is no single national ritual. In the mountain communities of the Belluno Dolomites they mark a turning point in the winter: the moment when people begin to count the days towards spring, and the point at which the old rural calendar starts looking ahead.
More winter from the Belluno Dolomites
