Photo: Sun Jiao (Interaccoonale) / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Blackthroat
Calliope obscura
Blackthroat (Calliope obscura) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Blackthroat (Calliope obscura) is a member of the Muscicapidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 19.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Muscicapidae Chats, Old World Flycatchers
- Genus Calliope
- Species obscura
Quick facts
- Weight
- 19.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Blackthroat is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Blackthroat is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Blackthroat (Calliope obscura) belongs to the Muscicapidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL nc China.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 19.6 g, with a wing length of about 6.8 cm and a tail of around 4.8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 67,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Blackthroat?
The Blackthroat is a small bird that weighs around 19.6 g.
Where does the Blackthroat live?
The Blackthroat is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL nc China, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Blackthroat belong to?
The Blackthroat (Calliope obscura) belongs to the Muscicapidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Blackthroat eat?
The Blackthroat is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Blackthroat migrate?
The Blackthroat is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Blackthroat endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Blackthroat's range?
The Blackthroat has a mapped global range of about 67,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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