Bluethroat Bird Facts (Luscinia svecica)

The Bluethroat is a small, robin-sized bird with a distinctive appearance. Males have brilliant blue throats and breasts, bordered by bands of black, white, and rusty orange. The upperparts are brown, contrasting with a white eyebrow and reddish tail sides.

Females lack the blue throat. Instead, they have a pale throat and breast with dark spotting. Juveniles are similar to females but with additional spotting on the upperparts.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Bluethroat can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Bluethroat can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Bluethroat can be found in Tundra habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Bluethroat is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Bluethroats inhabit a wide range of moist habitats, including Arctic tundra, wetlands, and alpine meadows. During the breeding season, they're found across northern Europe and Asia, extending into Alaska.

In winter, they migrate to southern Europe, Africa, and southern Asia. They're rare visitors in the UK, mainly seen during spring and autumn migrations along the east coast.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bluethroat. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Cyprus Qatar Sri Lanka Sudan

Species that pass through the area during migration

Greece

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Bhutan Côte D'Ivoire Faroe Islands Gambia Iceland Ireland Liechtenstein Niger South Korea Taiwan

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Bluethroat demonstrates remarkable agility, with its quick, darting movements whilst foraging and its ability to navigate through dense vegetation. Its elaborate flight displays during breeding season further showcase its nimble aerial prowess.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small songbird weighing between 16-22 grams, the Bluethroat possesses limited strength relative to larger birds. However, it's robust enough to undertake long-distance migrations and defend its territory.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Bluethroats exhibit exceptional adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to alpine meadows, and at elevations from sea level to 5000 metres. Their ability to navigate long-distance migrations and adjust to varied environments is truly impressive.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, male Bluethroats vigorously defend their territories during breeding season, engaging in elaborate displays and persistent singing. Their secretive nature suggests a generally non-confrontational disposition outside of breeding periods.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Bluethroat's endurance is evidenced by its long-distance migratory behaviour, travelling between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. This journey, coupled with their ability to survive in harsh Arctic conditions, demonstrates remarkable stamina for a small bird.

Bluethroats are primarily insectivorous, feeding on various small invertebrates, including beetles, flies, and spiders. They also consume small berries and seeds, especially during migration and in winter.

Their foraging style involves quick, darting movements on the ground.

Bluethroats are known for their secretive nature. They often skulk in dense vegetation. They forage on the ground, darting quickly between cover.

During the breeding season, males perform elaborate flight displays, singing vigorously to attract mates and defend territories.

The Bluethroat's song is a varied, melodious warble, often incorporating mimicry of other bird species. Their call is a sharp, metallic 'tack' or 'chack'.

During courtship, males produce a distinctive buzzing 'bzeee' sound as part of their display.

Bluethroat breeding season typically begins in late spring. Males establish territories and attract females with elaborate song flights and displays.

Nests are built on or near the ground, well hidden in dense vegetation. The cup-shaped nest is constructed of grass, leaves, and moss. Females lay 4-6 pale blue-green eggs with reddish-brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 13-14 days. Pairs often raise two broods per season in favourable conditions.

The Bluethroat typically lives for 3 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 11.4 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Bluethroats face localised threats from habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland breeding habitats and stopover sites along migration routes.

Look for Bluethroats in wetland edges and dense scrub
Listen for their varied, melodious song, especially at dawn and dusk
Be patient and quiet; they often reveal themselves briefly before ducking back into cover
In the UK, coastal reed beds in East Anglia are good spots during migration

Main predators include small mammals like weasels and stoats, as well as birds of prey such as Merlins and Sparrowhawks.

Bluethroats can mimic the calls of up to 40 different bird species.
They have been known to return to the exact same breeding territory year after year.
Despite their name, some subspecies have red or white spots instead of blue on their throats.

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