Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica
Beautiful thrush-like bird that tends to stay hidden. Dull gray above, but a head-on view reveals a stunning pattern of electric blue and orange on the throat (some variation in pattern across range). Females show fainter colors than males, sometimes lacking blue entirely, but are still very boldly patterned. On the dullest young females, look for bold white eyebrow and throat, necklace of dark streaks, and rufous on the base of the tail. Variable song includes imitations of other species among a jumble of trills, whistles, and chirps. Typically found in scrubby, brushy habitat, often in edge areas: reedbeds, overgrown fields, and thickets. Usually skulky but singing males can perch conspicuously atop a bush. Breeds across Europe and Asia into Alaska; winters from northern Africa to southeast Asia.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Luscinia svecica
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Luscinia
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : widespread, also w Alaska
- Non-breeding range
- OR, n AF
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Crimson-backed Sunbird
Leptocoma minima
Stumpy, short-tailed sunbird of the Western Ghats’ foothill forests. Male has a glossy dark green cap, a red back and chest, a dark purplish throat, and an off-white belly. As in most sunbirds, the female is comparatively drab, with brown upperparts, yellow-washed underparts, and a bright red rump. Listen for this species’ high tinkling song and sharp “chik” notes, often given while foraging.
Lattice-tailed Trogon
Trogon clathratus
This large trogon is the only one in its range with a pale eye. Male is green and red with no white band separating the chest from the belly; female similar but gray-brown instead of green. Otherwise, a typical trogon with upright posture, squared-off tail, and stout yellow bill. Sits still at middle levels in trees, slowly turning head searching for prey.
Pale-headed Woodpecker
Gecinulus grantia
A bamboo specialist, this is an odd-looking woodpecker with a dark body, sickly-looking pale head, and blood-red patches on the wings. Gives short rapid-fire bursts of drums which, due to the hollow stems of bamboo, often have an odd, reverberating quality. Pale bill is significantly shorter than that of the larger Bay Woodpecker, which seldom drums, if at all.
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