The common nightingale, rufous nightingale or simply nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), is a small passerine bird which is best known for its powerful and beautiful song. An Old World flycatcher, it belongs to a group of more terrestrial species, often called chats.
The term nightingale is also applied to other birds with rich songs, such as members of the neotropical nightingale thrush group, the Chinese nightingale (see Leiothrix), and, in the West Indies, the mockingbird.
The Nightingale’s rather ordinary appearance conceals a tremendous voice, which has been a favorite of birdwatchers for many centuries. The name nightingale tends to refer specifically to the common nightingale species of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Male nightingales that sing throughout the night are thought to be single birds, trying to serenade migrating females down as they fly over. When do nightingales arrive in spring? The date when nightingales arrive in the UK is getting significantly earlier, probably due to climate change.
10 amazing facts about nightingales and the best places to see them
- The Common Nightingale Looks Like the Most Ordinary Bird You Will Ever See The common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) will never win a beauty contest. This is a plain brown bird with warm, earthy upperparts and a rusty brown tail that flicks constantly when the bird perches. The underside carries a variable buffy wash across the breast that fades to pale cream on the belly. That is it ...
Discover the beauty and mystery of the Common Nightingale. Learn about its incredible song, habits, migration, and cultural significance in this complete guide.
The nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos ) is a small passerine bird best known for its powerful and beautiful song. The song of this secretive bird has been described as one of the most beautiful sounds in nature, inspiring songs, fairy tales, opera, books, and a great deal of poetry.