Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochruros

Genus · True Redstarts Family · Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Bird feederBridgesRoofsStone walls

Look for them on urban roofs or industrial sites. Watch for the 'shivering' red tail on a dark grey bird.

Black Redstart

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan23–26 cm
Weight14–20 g
Length13–14 cm
Lifespan wild2–8 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size4–6 eggs
Incubation12–16 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries
🦗Insects
🕷️Spiders

Habitat

⛰️ Mountains🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Black Redstarts are among the earliest birds to sing before sunrise, especially in towns and cities where artificial light can trigger dawn singing.

About

A small bird that has moved from mountains into European city centers. It is the size of a Robin. It has soot-grey plumage and a constantly quivering orange-red tail. It thrives in industrial areas, construction sites, and railway sidings. These habitats mimic its ancestral rocky cliffs.

Behaviour

Black Redstarts are active and vocal. The male sings from high points like chimneys or cranes. His song includes a unique sound like 'crushing glass'. They are ground-feeders that dart down to catch insects and return to a perch. They constantly flick and shiver their red tails.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a soot-black face and breast with a grey crown. He often has a white wing patch. The tail is bright rusty-red.

♀ Female

A uniform smoky-grey bird without the black face or white wing patch. She shares the quivering orange-red tail.

Similar species

Common Redstart
🐦
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
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