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Common Nightingale Identification Guide

The Common Nightingale is a discreet bird best known for its powerful and complex song, mostly heard at dusk and during the night. It lives in dense shrubs, woodland edges, and sometimes gardens. Here, you will learn how to identify the Common Nightingale through its appearance, song, behavior, diet, breeding, and preferred habitats.
What I look like

What I look like

The Common Nightingale has a **light brown** head, **black eyes** with a **clear eye-ring**.

The Common Nightingale has a light brown head, black eyes with a clear eye-ring.

The upper body of the Common Nightingale is **light brown**.

The upper body of the Common Nightingale is light brown.

Its tail is **russet**.

Its tail is russet.

The underside of its body is **beige**.

The underside of its body is beige.

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My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The male begins to sing **during its migration** to the breeding site.

The male begins to sing during its migration to the breeding site.

Upon arrival, it sings intensely to **attract a female**. It can be heard over a kilometer away.

Upon arrival, it sings intensely to attract a female. It can be heard over a kilometer away.

At dusk, the **singing duels of males** can be heard late into the night.

At dusk, the singing duels of males can be heard late into the night.

Once a female is found, it only sings to **defend its territory**.

Once a female is found, it only sings to defend its territory.

Its song is **melodious and complex** with **long varied trills and sometimes fluted**. It is unpredictable and virtuosic!

Its song is melodious and complex with long varied trills and sometimes fluted. It is unpredictable and virtuosic!

It produces various calls: whistled "huit" and grating "grrouik".

It produces various calls: whistled "huit" and grating "grrouik".

Discover also : Redstart Identification Guide
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The Ornitho Mnemolia course trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The Common Nightingale **lives discreetly in bushes** and is hard to spot.

The Common Nightingale lives discreetly in bushes and is hard to spot.

It is more often noticed by its **song**.

It is more often noticed by its song.

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How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The female **chooses the male** based on his **vocal performance** during singing duels.

The female chooses the male based on his vocal performance during singing duels.

The breeding season of the Common Nightingale extends from May to July.

It produces **one brood per year** of 4 to 6 olive green or plain dark brown eggs.

It produces one brood per year of 4 to 6 olive green or plain dark brown eggs.

The nest is a **cup of twigs and leaves**.

The nest is a cup of twigs and leaves.

The Common Nightingale places its nest **under bushes, in thickets**.

The Common Nightingale places its nest under bushes, in thickets.

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Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

The Common Nightingale feeds on **berries, spiders, or small insects and larvae**.

The Common Nightingale feeds on berries, spiders, or small insects and larvae.

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Where to find me

Where to find me

The Common Nightingale lives in **forests**, preferably near **water**.

The Common Nightingale lives in forests, preferably near water.

It is also found in **parks and gardens**.

It is also found in parks and gardens.

The Common Nightingale is a **long-distance migrant**. In September, it migrates to **sub-Saharan Africa**.

The Common Nightingale is a long-distance migrant. In September, it migrates to sub-Saharan Africa.

Discover also : Spotted Flycatcher Identification Guide
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Common Nightingale is identified by its light brown plumage, rufous tail, rich song, and hidden life in dense vegetation. Listening for its song remains the most reliable way to detect it.