Common Redstart
The Common Redstart, or often simply Redstart, is a small passerine bird. Like its relatives, it was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family but it is now known to be an Old World flycatcher.
The Common Redstart shows some affinity to the Robin in many of its habits and actions. It has the same general carriage and chat-like behaviour and it is the same length but slightly slimmer and not quite as heavy. The orange-red tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names ("start" is an old word for "tail"), is frequently quivered. Among common European birds, only the Black Redstart has a similarly coloured tail.
In summer, the male Common Redstart has a slate-grey head and upperparts, except the rump and tail, which, like the flanks, underwing coverts and axillaries, are orange-chestnut. The forehead is white and the sides of the face and throat are black. The wings and the two central tail feathers are brown and the other tail feathers are bright orange-red. The orange on the flanks shades to almost white on the belly. The bill and legs are black. In autumn, pale feather fringes on the body feathering obscures the colours of the male and gives it a washed-out appearance. The female is browner with paler underparts and it lacks the black and slate head.
The Common Redstart is a summer visitor throughout most of Europe and west Asia (east to Lake Baikal) and also in north west Africa in Morocco. It can be found in open mature birch and oak woodland with low amounts of shrub and understorey especially where the trees are old enough to have holes suitable for its nest. It prefers to nest on the edge of woodland clearings in natural tree holes so dead trees or those with dead limbs are beneficial to it. It also nests in mature open conifer woodland, particularly in the north of the breeding range, and nestboxes are sometimes used. In the UK, the Common Redstart occurs primarily in broadleaf woodlands in upland areas in the north and west with the greatest concentrations in Wales. Further east in Europe it also commonly occurs in lowland areas including parks and old gardens in urban areas.
The Common Redstart winters in central Africa and Arabia, south of the Sahara Desert but north of the Equator and from Senegal east to Yemen. It first arrives in its breeding areas in early to mid April, the males often a few days in advance of the females. Following breeding, return migration to Africa occurs between mid August and early October.
The Common Redstart is insectivorous and eats a wide variety of small insects and spiders but additionally fruit and berries in the autumn. It often feeds like a flycatcher and makes aerial sallies after passing insects.
Date: 8th May 2017
Location: Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
The Common Redstart shows some affinity to the Robin in many of its habits and actions. It has the same general carriage and chat-like behaviour and it is the same length but slightly slimmer and not quite as heavy. The orange-red tail, from which it and other redstarts get their names ("start" is an old word for "tail"), is frequently quivered. Among common European birds, only the Black Redstart has a similarly coloured tail.
In summer, the male Common Redstart has a slate-grey head and upperparts, except the rump and tail, which, like the flanks, underwing coverts and axillaries, are orange-chestnut. The forehead is white and the sides of the face and throat are black. The wings and the two central tail feathers are brown and the other tail feathers are bright orange-red. The orange on the flanks shades to almost white on the belly. The bill and legs are black. In autumn, pale feather fringes on the body feathering obscures the colours of the male and gives it a washed-out appearance. The female is browner with paler underparts and it lacks the black and slate head.
The Common Redstart is a summer visitor throughout most of Europe and west Asia (east to Lake Baikal) and also in north west Africa in Morocco. It can be found in open mature birch and oak woodland with low amounts of shrub and understorey especially where the trees are old enough to have holes suitable for its nest. It prefers to nest on the edge of woodland clearings in natural tree holes so dead trees or those with dead limbs are beneficial to it. It also nests in mature open conifer woodland, particularly in the north of the breeding range, and nestboxes are sometimes used. In the UK, the Common Redstart occurs primarily in broadleaf woodlands in upland areas in the north and west with the greatest concentrations in Wales. Further east in Europe it also commonly occurs in lowland areas including parks and old gardens in urban areas.
The Common Redstart winters in central Africa and Arabia, south of the Sahara Desert but north of the Equator and from Senegal east to Yemen. It first arrives in its breeding areas in early to mid April, the males often a few days in advance of the females. Following breeding, return migration to Africa occurs between mid August and early October.
The Common Redstart is insectivorous and eats a wide variety of small insects and spiders but additionally fruit and berries in the autumn. It often feeds like a flycatcher and makes aerial sallies after passing insects.
Date: 8th May 2017
Location: Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
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Also in: Chats
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