Today we’re giving an ode to the bird that has been an inspiration for many artists—the nightingale. 

Nightingale

The nightingale is a small brown or tan bird that weighs about 15g – 22g (0.5oz – 0.7oz) and average 14cm – 16.5cm (5.5in – 6.5in) in length.

The common nightingale species can be found in:

• Africa
• Asia
• Eurasia
• Europe

They can reach speeds of 18 mph and have a lifespan of 1 to 3 years.

Preferred food

Nightingales feed primarily on insects, mostly through rummaging on the ground. They are also partial to ants and beetles.

Scientific Facts

• Kingdom – Animalia
• Phylum – Chordata
• Class – Aves
• Order – Passeriformes
• Family – Muscicapidae
• Genus – Luscinia

Nightingale Conservation Status

• Least Concern

The nightingale is listed as far from endangered. However, there have been reports that Nightingales have declined by 90 percent in the last 50 years. There are various factors that could be contributing to this decline, such as climate change.

Fun Facts

• The male nightingale has one of the most intricate and erudite verbal sounds in the entire animal kingdom.
• The name nightingale comes from the Old English term that’s been in use for some 1,400 years.
• Nightingale birds are associated with night songs, but only the unpaired males sing at night and mainly in the breeding season.
• The common nightingale’s verbal repertoire consists of some 180 to 260 song variations. Older adult males have a 53% larger range than younger adults, but it’s not entirely clear why this is.