For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Nightingales
Scientific name: Luscinia megarhynchos
Size: Approx 15cm
Distribution: Mostly seen in the southern half of England (south of Hull and east of Taunton)
Months seen: April to September. Winters in West Africa
Habitat: Woods, parks, gardens and orchards. Prefers areas with dense vegetation
Food: Insects, berries and fruit
Special features: Nightingales are slightly larger than a robin with mostly brown coloured plumage on their upperparts and greyish-white plumage below. The top of the tail is a uniform rusty red-brown. The legs are pink, the beak is grey and black, and a distinctive feature is the large black coloured eye.
Nightingales are renowned for their beautiful song, and because they are such shy birds they are more often heard than seen. As the name suggests they will frequently sing well into the night.
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