Common nightingale — Luscinia megarhynchos

The luscinia megarhynchos, also known as the  common nightingale, is a small passerine bird from the family Muscicapidae. This species is famous for its powerful and beautiful song, often heard during the night, which has inspired countless poets and musicians throughout history. The common nightingale is distributed across a wide range of habitats, spanning from Western Europe to Central Asia, and as far east as China. It prefers dense, bushy areas with plenty of cover, such as woodlands, scrub, and thickets, where it can forage for insects and other invertebrates.

In Western Europe, the common nightingale’s range includes countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, with populations increasingly found in urban parks and gardens. In Central Asia, its range extends through countries like Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan, and it can also be found in the Caucasus region. In China, the common nightingale can be found in various parts of the country, including the northeastern regions and the Tibetan Plateau.

During the breeding season, the male common nightingale sings to attract a mate and establish his territory. Its complex and melodic song has made it a popular subject of folklore and literature, often associated with love and longing. The common nightingale is a migratory species, spending the winter months in sub-Saharan Africa, before returning to its breeding grounds in Europe and Asia during the spring.

The common nightingale is a small, unassuming bird, with a plain brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage in its preferred habitats. It has a relatively long, straight bill, which it uses to catch insects and worms from the ground. Despite its unremarkable appearance, the common nightingale’s song has earned it a special place in human culture, and it remains a beloved symbol of the arrival of spring and the beauty of the natural world.