Elder

Consumes Elder berries in large quantities in late summer and autumn; seeds pass through the gut intact and are deposited in new locations. Blackbird is one of the primary dispersers of Elder across woodland edge and hedgerow habitats.

The association is so strong that the fungus's folk name "Judas's Ear" refers to the Elder tree from which Judas Iscariot is said to have hanged himself. Near-obligate on Elder in practice, though occasional records exist on other hosts.

Occasionally fruits on elder trunks, a recorded secondary host.

Feeds extensively on Elder berries during winter irruptions into western Europe, often in large flocks alongside Blackbirds and Fieldfares.