Common Nightingale

Habitat: Moist deciduous and mixed forests with dense undergrowth of brambles and nettles, also in parks and orchards.

Appearance: Moderate and Mediterranean Europe in summer. In Central Europe rarely above 400 m, in the south also in the mountains. In Belgium and the Netherlands fairly numerous breeding bird – migratory.

Breeding season: April to August, nest close to the ground – the female builds her nest under trees shaded by bushes, usually on the ground in dry leaves but sometimes slightly above the ground or even at chest height in vines, 5 to 6 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 16 – 17 cm, wingspan 25 cm, weight 25 – 30 grams, age 9 years.

Food: The nightingale feeds on soft insects, which it searches for on and in the ground and often rubs along the ground until they stop moving. In autumn, it also eats berries.