Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

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

Look for the male's white forehead. Scan the lower branches of old oak or birch trees. Watch for the shivering tail.

Common Redstart

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan20–24 cm
Weight11–20 g
Length13–14 cm
Lifespan wild2–10 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size5–7 eggs
Incubation12–14 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
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries
🦗Insects
🕷️Spiders

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🍎 Orchard🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

The Common Redstart is a frequent host for the Common Cuckoo. Its eggs are a beautiful, solid sky-blue.

About

A beautiful summer visitor to open woodlands, parks, and orchards. It is slimmer and more elegant than the Black Redstart. It is a long-distance migrant that winters in Africa. It often nests in gardens with large old trees.

Behaviour

Redstarts are restless birds that constantly flick and shiver their bright orange tails. They hunt insects by darting from branches or dropping to the ground. Their song is a melancholy warble starting with a high whistle. They are cavity nesters that prefer hollow trees or nest boxes.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Striking with a bright orange breast and tail. He has a slate-grey back and a jet-black face with a brilliant white forehead.

♀ Female

Mainly pale grey-brown with a warm buff breast. She lacks the male's black face, but her bright orange tail is distinctive.

Similar species

Black Redstart
🐦
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
European Robin
🐦
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
See Common Redstart in the app.
Full encyclopedia, offline diary, AI identification — always with you.
Download on Google Play