Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica (Linnaeus, 1758)
BU
BLUTH
11060
Family: Passeriformes > Muscicapidae
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.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Bluethroat
Identification
Bluethroat identification is often straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Bluethroat, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Song
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
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 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I), WBD (I), Bern(III), Bonn(II) |
POPULATION SIZE
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Northumberland, 1826 |
POPULATION CHANGE
The Bluethroat is an occasional breeder in the UK with the most recent breeding record in 2016 (Ince 2018).
DISTRIBUTION
This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 2 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.07 |
| No. occupied in winter | 11 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.4 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +100% |
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | --100% |
SEASONALITY
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.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Bluethroat, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
01–Feb |
|
Egg Size
|
18×14 mm Weight = 2 g (of which 5% is shell) |
BIOMETRICS
|
Wing Length
|
Adults | 74.8±2.4 | Range 71–78.5mm, N=64 |
| Juveniles | 74±2.9 | Range 69-79mm, N=52 | |
| Males | 76.1±1.9 | Range 72–79mm, N=37 | |
| Females | 73±1.7 | Range 70–75mm, N=27 |
|
Body Weight
|
Adults | 16.7±2.2 | Range 14.1–20.4g, N=63 |
| Juveniles | 16.6±2.9 | Range 13.5–25.0g, N=53 | |
| Males | 16.9±1.8 | Range 14.3–21.0g, N=36 | |
| Females | 16.4±2.5 | Range 13.9–18.9g, N=27 |
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
A |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: BU | 5-letter code: BLUTH | Euring: 11060 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Gaelic: Òranaiche
Welsh: Bronlas Smotyn
Catalan: cotxa blava
Czech: slavík modrácek
Danish: Blåhals
Dutch: Blauwborst
Estonian: sinirind
Finnish: sinirinta
French: Gorgebleue à miroir
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
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Bluethroat from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
The Bluethroat is currently an occasional breeder in the UK.The potential future drivers of change are unclear.
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
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