Russia, Moscow - April 29, 2009
Credit: Sergey Yeliseev

North American field guide

Bluethroat

Luscinia svecica

Also known as:Red-spotted Bluethroat, White-spotted Bluethroat

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

14 cm (5-6") Uncommon. Tundra North Alaska; winters in Asia.

Gray upperparts. White eyebrow stripe.

Male: unique colorful throat and breast pattern. Blue throat. Rusty upper breast patch circled by blue. Dark breast bands. Rust patch at base of tail.

Female and Immature:  white throat. Dark band across breast. White belly.

In flight; shows rusty patch at base of tail.

Secretive; stays hidden in thickets.

Song: loud melodious warbling.

Watch and learn

Videos

1 video
Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Bluethroat (Male)

1 rule
Rule 1 17 criteria confidence 1
What was the sex of the bird ?
Male · Unknown
What colour were the WINGS ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?
No · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?
No · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Blue · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour were the CHEEKS ?
Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Warbler-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Northwestern Canada or United States
result:726-bluethroat-male:1:1 Source: 726 Bluethroat (Male), row 1

Bluethroat (Female or Immature)

1 rule
Rule 1 17 criteria confidence 1
What was the sex of the bird ?
Female · Unknown
What colour were the WINGS ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?
No · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?
No · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
Dark band or bands running across the breast or neck · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour were the CHEEKS ?
Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Warbler-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Northwestern Canada or United States
result:727-bluethroat-female-or-immature:1:1 Source: 727 Bluethroat (Female or Immature), row 1