Pisco-de-peito-azul

The excellent Aves de Portugal website says of the Bluethroat

The observation of a Pisco-de-peito-azul perched on a log or tuft of marsh has the gift to animate any observation session on a cold Winter day.

It certainly had that effect on my husband on both the days we saw. The first time was in February 2013 when I failed to capture any photographs and must admit that I was more excited by the Flamingoes! Earlier this year though I was very fortunate as this male Bluethroat performed beautifully for us, and I finally saw what had captured my husband’s attention on our very first trip.

My only regret was that this Bluethroat didn’t choose a more picturesque setting, but maybe this winter . . . . . . . . !

They are quite a secretive bird foraging for their food – insects – in low vegetation. From what I have read it most forages on the ground, turning over leaves and grasses to expose small invertebrates, it can also though capture flying insects.

They were once considered to be a blue version of our Robin, in fact the RSPB website still indicates they are of the Thrush family.  However in recent years it has been determined they are of the Muscicapidae (Flycatcher) Family. Their song however is at least to me very reminiscent of our Blackbirds, Robins and Thrushes. What do you think?

Click on the play button below to listen to their song as recorded by Volker Arnold of Fiel-Sued, Dithmarschen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.