# Bluethroat (*Luscinia svecica*) The Bluethroat is a small, colorful bird known for its bright blue throat and cheerful song. It loves to sing in the reeds and is often found near water, making it a delightful sight for birdwatchers. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Bluethroat](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/261911777/medium.jpeg) Photo: CC0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/261911777) ## Appearance The Bluethroat is a small, robin-sized songbird with a brownish back and a striking rufous-orange patch at the base of its tail. Males boast a vibrant blue throat patch outlined by a black, white, and rufous band. Females typically have a paler throat with dark flecks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Muscicapidae - **Genus:** Luscinia ## Interesting facts - Bluethroat parents often build their cozy, cup-shaped nests hidden right on the ground. - Male Bluethroats fluff out their blue throat feathers to show off even more! - Some Bluethroats travel from Alaska to Southeast Asia every year! - Their amazing song can include up to 100 different imitations from other birds! ## Special abilities - **Mimic Master:** Bluethroats can imitate other birds' songs and environmental sounds to impress mates. - **Color Beacon:** Males flash their vivid blue throat patch during courtship displays to attract females. - **Long-Distance Flier:** This small bird can migrate thousands of kilometers between continents each year. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-14 cm - **Wingspan:** 21-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.012-0.023 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 13-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 6000 km ## Diet & Feeding These tiny birds mostly munch on small insects and spiders, occasionally enjoying a berry. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Larvae, Worms, Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** red wood ant (*Formica rufa*) — Bluethroats forage for ants and other insects. - **Eats:** [cross orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders are a common part of their insect diet. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — Small birds like Bluethroats are prey for raptors. - **Shelter:** [common reed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-reed) (*Phragmites australis*) — Nests are often hidden in dense reedbeds. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bluethroat? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bluethroat? 13-14 cm ### What is Bluethroat's wingspan? 21-23 cm ### How much does Bluethroat weigh? 0.012-0.023 kg ### How long does Bluethroat live? 2-5 years ### What does Bluethroat eat? These tiny birds mostly munch on small insects and spiders, occasionally enjoying a berry. ### Where is Bluethroat usually found? Wetlands ### How does Bluethroat hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Naturpark Schwalm-Nette](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-schwalm-nette) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Park - [Biosphärenregion Berchtesgadener Land](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berchtesgadener-land-biosphere-region) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Bourtanger Moor–Veenland Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bourtanger-moor-veenland-nature-park) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Grand-Voyeux Regional Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-voyeux-regional-nature-reserve) — Île-de-France, FR · Park - [Lilleau des Niges National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lilleau-des-niges-national-nature-reserve) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Park - [Brière Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/briere-regional-nature-park) — Pays de la Loire, FR · Park [View all places to see Bluethroat](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bluethroat) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Bluethroat: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluethroat)