Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Aves › Passeriformes › Muscicapidae › Phoenicurus
Conservation status: least_concern
The Common Redstart is a small, active songbird with a striking rusty-red tail and rump that make it unmistakable in flight, while males display a bold black face mask and white forehead against their blue-grey back. Females and juveniles are duller brown with the same distinctive orange-red tail, and you'll often spot them perched upright on rocks, fence posts, or low branches as they dart down to catch insects.
How To Identify
They are small warbler-sized birds (about 13–15 cm), easily identified by their distinct reddish-orange streaking on the breast and flanks, which contrasts with the duller brown tones of females.
Habitat
The Common Redstart lives in open woodland, orchards, and parks with old trees.
Behaviour
The Common Redstart exhibits flycatcher habits by perching upright and shivering its tail.
Did You Know?
The name 'Redstart' comes from the Old English word 'steort' (tail) because the bird constantly quivers its orange-red tail.
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