Nightingale Bird Facts (Luscinia megarhynchos)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Nightingale is a small, unassuming bird with a plain brown plumage. Its upperparts are a warm russet-brown, while the underparts are slightly paler. The tail has a distinctive rufous tinge, especially noticeable in flight. The beak is grey with a pale pink base, and the legs are pink as well.

Males and females are virtually identical in appearance. Juveniles resemble adults but may have some subtle spotting on their upperparts. The Nightingale's most striking feature is its large, dark eye, contrasting with its plain plumage.

Size

Length

15cm to 16.5cm

Wingspan

23cm to 26cm

Weight

18g to 27g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown

Secondary Colour

Rufous

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Nightingale can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Nightingale can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Nightingale is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Nightingale is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Nightingale is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Nightingale is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Nightingale is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Nightingale is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Nightingale is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Nightingale is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Nightingale is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Nightingale is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Nightingales inhabit dense deciduous woodlands, thickets, and overgrown gardens across Europe and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with thick undergrowth and a carpet of leaf litter for foraging.

In the UK, Nightingales are found mainly in southeast England, arriving in April and departing in August. They winter in sub-Saharan Africa, making them true long-distance migrants.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,400 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Nightingale. 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

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte D'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Ethiopia Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Guinea Iraq Italy Jordan Kenya Lebanon Liberia Libya Mali Malta Mauritania Morocco Nigeria Palestine Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia Spain Sudan Syria Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Western Sahara

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Afghanistan Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina China Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic France Georgia Gibraltar Hungary Iran Israel Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Liechtenstein Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Switzerland Tajikistan The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Benin South Sudan

Species that pass through the area during migration

Bahrain Denmark Kuwait Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Spain United Arab Emirates Yemen

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

Cape Verde Djibouti Estonia Faroe Islands Finland Iceland India Ireland Lithuania Niger Norway Sweden

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

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

The Nightingale demonstrates high agility through its ability to navigate dense undergrowth and forage effectively on the ground. Its small size and adaptation to thickets suggest nimble movements and quick reflexes.

Strength 30

Strength

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

As a small bird weighing between 18-27 grams, the Nightingale has limited physical strength. Its diet of insects and berries doesn't require significant strength, and it's not known for aggressive or strength-based behaviours.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

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

Nightingales show good adaptability by thriving in various habitats from woodlands to gardens, and by adjusting their diet seasonally. Their long-distance migration also indicates adaptability to different environments.

Aggressiveness 25

Aggressiveness

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

Nightingales are generally described as secretive and shy, rather than aggressive. While males may become more conspicuous during breeding season, this is for singing rather than aggressive displays.

Endurance 80

Endurance

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

The Nightingale's ability to undertake long-distance migrations from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates considerable endurance. Additionally, male Nightingales' capacity to sing complex songs for extended periods, often at night, suggests high stamina.

Diet

Nightingales primarily feed on insects and their larvae, including beetles, ants, and flies. They also consume small spiders and worms. During autumn, they supplement their diet with berries and small fruits, which help them build fat reserves for migration.

Foraging mainly takes place on the ground, in ditches or under dense undergrowth.

Behaviour

Nightingales are secretive birds, often hiding in dense undergrowth. They forage on the ground, hopping and running while searching for insects.

During the breeding season, male Nightingales become more conspicuous, perching in the open to deliver their famous song, often at night.

Vocalisation

The Nightingale has probably one of the largest ranges of songs by any bird species. Their song is renowned for its beauty and complexity. It consists of a rich, varied series of whistles, trills, and gurgles, often delivered in distinct phrases.

The song includes over 200 different elements and can be heard both day and night, with a characteristic 'jug-jug-jug' phrase.

Whilst both paired male and female adults will call softly during the breeding season by day around the nesting area, the male bird sings extensively during the night in order to attract a mate using a larger repertoire of songs than those vocalised during the day.

Nesting & Breeding

Nightingales form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from May to July. Males attract females with their complex songs, often singing at night to avoid acoustic competition.

The female builds a cup-shaped nest low in dense vegetation, using leaves, grass, and small twigs. She lays 4-5 olive-brown or sometimes blueish eggs and incubates them for about 13 days.

Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 11-12 days but remain dependent on their parents for another two weeks. Nightingales usually raise one brood per season, occasionally two in favourable conditions.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Nightingale is currently listed as Least Concern globally, its population is declining in parts of its range, particularly in Western Europe. Habitat loss and degradation, especially of dense scrub and woodland undergrowth, are primary threats.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving and restoring suitable breeding habitats.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

43,000,000 - 81,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Listen for their distinctive song, especially at dawn or dusk - they are often heard long before they are seen
Look for movement in dense undergrowth near the ground
Visit known habitats during spring migration or breeding season
Be patient and quiet, as Nightingales are shy and elusive
It can be easily confused with the Thrush Nightingale, but a quick look at the Common Nightingale’s rufous broad tail with long under tail coverts quickly identifies the two

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Common Nightingale, Rufous Nightingale

Family:

Muscicapidae

Average Lifespan

5 years

Max Lifespan

10.9 years ^[4]

Predators

Nightingales are preyed upon by various predators, including domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Ground-nesting makes them vulnerable to foxes and rodents.

Did You Know?

Nightingales can sing up to 300 different love songs.
Their name comes from 'night' and 'galan,' meaning 'to sing.'
Despite their plain appearance, they're considered one of the world's most melodious birds.

References

1 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Luscinia megarhynchos (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22709696A111760622.
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4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source