Bluethroat

Luscinia svecica

Introduction

This striking species shows tremendous variation in the intensity of its blue throat and in the colour and shape of any throat spot.

Although predominantly a scarce visitor to our shores, Bluethroat has bred here on a number of occasions.

Records come from throughout the year but with spring and autumn peaks, the latter the larger of these.

Key Stats

Rare

16.7g

5-7

<1%

BTO Records

5k records

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

100% expansion

No data

No current data

-100% contraction

Identification

Curated resources to aid in the identification of Bluethroat

Songs and Calls

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Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Bluethroat, provided by xeno-canto contributors.

Song:

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

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This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

Species of European Conservation Concern

Least Concern

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Yes

Birds Directive Annex 1

Listed on the Annexes of*

WCA(I), WBD (I), Bern(III), Bonn(II)

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

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BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Northumberland, 1826

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

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The Bluethroat is an occasional breeder in the UK with the most recent breeding record in 2016 (Ince 2018).

Distribution

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This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.

Occupied 10-km squares in UK

These figures come from Bird Atlas 2007 and indicate how widespread a species is.

No. occupied in breeding season

% occupied in breeding season

0.07%

No. occupied in winter

% occupied in winter

0.4%

Bird Atlas distribution maps show where bird species breed or winter in Britain and Ireland. For breeding maps, larger dots indicate higher certainty the species bred in that area.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

To view and download up-to-date distribution information aggregated from across BTO and partnership surveys and schemes, see our data holdings on the NBN Atlas.

European Distribution Map

European Breeding Bird Atlas 2

Distribution Change

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This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.

Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK

These figures come from Bird Atlas 2007-11 and indicate by how much occupied areas have expanded or contracted over recent decades.

% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11)

100 %

% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11)

-100 %

Seasonality

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Bluethroat is a scarce migrant, with two subspecies; white-spotted birds can occur from late winter onwards whereas red-spotted birds are more likely to be seen in May. Also a scarce migrant in late autumn.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.

Phenology graph — Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.

Movement

Information about Bluethroat movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

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View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

Dots show the foreign destinations of birds ringed in Britain & Ireland, and the origins of birds ringed overseas that were subsequently recaptured, resighted or found dead in Britain & Ireland. Dot colours indicate the time of year that the species was present at the location.

Winter (Nov-Feb)
Spring (Mar-Apr)
Summer (May-Jul)
Autumn (Aug-Oct)

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

European movements

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EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

The Eurasian-African Migration Atlas shows movements of individual birds ringed or recovered in Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Bluethroat, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Productivity and Nesting

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Nesting timing

Typical (exceptional) number of broods

1–2

Source

Egg measurements

Typical length x width

18x14 mm

Mass (% shell)

2g (5%)

Source

Clutch Size

Typical number

7-5 eggs

Observed minimum and maximum

5-9 eggs

Source

Incubation

Incubation by

Female

Typical duration

15-14 days

Source

Fledging

Type of chick

Altricial, downy

Typical duration

15-14 days

Source

Survival and Longevity

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Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report.

Biometrics

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Wing length and body weights are from live birds (source).

Wing length

Average ±1 std deviation; range and sample size in brackets.

Juvenile

74±2.9 mm

(69-79 mm, N=52)

All adults

74.8±2.4 mm

(71-78.5 mm, N=64)

Female

73±1.7 mm

(70-75 mm, N=27)

Male

76.1±1.9 mm

(72-79 mm, N=37)

Body weight

Average ±1 std deviation; range and sample size in brackets.

Juvenile

74±2.9 mm

(69-79 mm, N=52)

All adults

74.8±2.4 mm

(71-78.5 mm, N=64)

Female

73±1.7 mm

(70-75 mm, N=27)

Male

76.1±1.9 mm

(72-79 mm, N=37)

Ring Size

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Bluethroat

Classification and Codes

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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Scientific name: Luscinia svecica
Authority: Linnaeus, 1758

BTO 2-letter code: BU
BTO 5-letter code: BLUTH
Euring code number: 11060

Alternate species names

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Catalan: cotxa blava
Czech: slavík modrácek
Danish: Blåhals
Dutch: Blauwborst
Estonian: sinirind
Finnish: sinirinta
French: Gorgebleue à miroir
Gaelic: Òranaiche

German: Blaukehlchen
Hungarian: kékbegy
Icelandic: Blábrystingur
Irish: Gormphíb
Italian: Pettazzurro
Latvian: zilriklite
Lithuanian: paprastoji melyngurkle
Norwegian: Blåstrupe

Polish: podrózniczek
Portuguese: pisco-de-peito-azul
Slovak: slávik modrák
Slovenian: modra tašcica
Spanish: Ruiseñor pechiazul
Swedish: blåhake
Welsh: Bronlas Smotyn

Research

Interpretation and scientific publications about Bluethroat from BTO scientists.

Causes of Change and Solutions

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Causes of change

The Bluethroat is currently an occasional breeder in the UK.The potential future drivers of change are unclear.

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

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