Luscinia svecica – Passeriformes – Muscicapidae – not an easy bird to see nor photograph. These pictures were taken in Spain in the region of Lerida. These lovely birds remain there year round where in France they nest only along the Atlantic coast.Here is a young male presenting a white spot in its blue “bib”. It is quite variable in size and colouring; one of the sub-species presents a red spot instead of the white one as in these pics. The female is quite different, the white bib is underlined by brown streaks reaching between the legs. It is migratory in our latitudes but present in Spain all year round. The Bluethroat benefits from a total protection on the French territory since the ministerial decree of April 17th 1981.
Mostly it remains hidden under the vegetation along swamp shores, near reed beds as it is the case here. When it comes out in the open it runs on the ground and stops for a few seconds, raised in alert to estimate a possible danger, pecks at an insect and darts immediately back to cover.
Noushka
Passionate about Nature and photography but mostly animals and birds. I live in France at the present, but have lived in Africa for 16 years and in the U.S. for 3 years and with Australia in mind for the future. With my husband, I created and managed a Bird Park in South Africa, raising mainly psittacines; the breeding facility housed over 1000 parrots at any given time. My photography is about sharing fauna's beauty with other enthusiasts! Equipment: NIKON lenses: 400 mm Z F4/5, 800 mm Z, 500 mm, 200/500 mm, 800 mm f5/6E
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