Nightingale

Nightingale
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae Genus: Luscinia Species: megarhynchos
Binomial name
Luscinia megarhynchos

The Nightingale Luscinia megarhyncos is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It, and similar small European species, are often called chatss.

It is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in forest in Europe and Asia. The distribution is more southerly than the very closely related Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia. It nests low in dense bushes. It winters in southern Africa.

The Nightingale is similar in size to the European Robin. It is plain brown above except for the red-sided tail with red side patches. It is buff to white below. Sexes are similar.

The male's famous song is loud, with a impressive range of whistles, trills and gurgles. The most characteristic feature is a loud whistling crescendo. It has a frog-like alarm call.

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There is a famous British song, popular during World War II A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square