Redstarts are immediately identifiable by their bright orange-red tails, which they often quiver. Breeding males look smart, with slate grey upper parts, black faces and wings, and an orange rump and chest. Females and young are duller. Redstarts 'bob' in a very robin-like manner, but spend little time at ground level. It is included on the Amber List as species with unfavourable conservation status in Europe where it is declining.
Key ID Features:
In summer the male's bluish grey back and cap and rich orange underparts, a rich black face and a bold white forehead are striking and distinctive.
The female has a rusty tail but is otherwise fairly plain with greyish upperparts and pale buff underside.
The spring male in flight shows a dark centre to it's rust-red tail.
Overview
Scientific name: Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Family: Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)
Where to see them:
Mainly found in the north and west of the UK, with the greatest concentrations in Wales. Particularly likes oak woodlands, also hedgerows, alongside streams and parkland. On passage in is best looked for in coastal scrub, thickets and woodland.
Seen in UK:
April to September.
What they eat
Mainly insects; also spiders, worms and berries.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
