Redstart

The redstart is a perching bird formerly thought to be part of the thrush family. However, now they are known to be a member of the Old World flycatcher family.

They are versatile birds and live in various habitats throughout Europe and West Africa, ranging from parks, broadleaf woodlands, gardens, farmlands, and heathlands to hedgerows. As long as the area has open country with minimal shrubbery, they will thrive.

Redstarts arrive in the UK during the summer from West Africa to breed between April and September.

Three Incredible Redstart Facts

• Redstarts are really small, only measuring 5.5 inches
• They build their nests off the ground in tree holes, cavities, stone walls, and roofs
• Female redstarts lay between 5 and 6 eggs. She incubates them for about 12 to 14 days, and chicks are born with dark gray down on their heads and backs.

Where to Find the Redstart

Redstarts primarily inhabit various European habitats but migrate to West Africa during winter. While they are common in Britain, they are more common in Ireland.

Common redstarts prefer open habitats with plenty of mature oak, birch woodland, high visibility, and minimal shrub and understory, even better if the trees are old enough to have holes for their nests.

They are often seen on the edge of woodland clearings, and in England, they are primarily found in upland areas because they are less affected by agricultural intensification. In addition, they occupy the lowlands of eastern Europe, including old gardens and parks in urban areas.

Unlike many other bird species, the redstart benefits from dead trees or dead limbs because of their natural holes, which are perfect for building nests. In addition, they prefer a high cover of moss and lichen. They also thrive in mature and open conifer woodland.

Nests

Common redstarts build their nests in the shape of a cup in various cavities or holes in mature trees, stone walls, or roofs, generally between 3.2 and 20 feet above the ground. Their nests are made from moss, roots, and grass, and they line the insides with feathers and fur. Female redstarts are responsible for building the nest while the males stand guard and sing loudly.

Nesting Facts

Classification and Scientific Name

The common redstart’s scientific name is Phoenicurus phoenicurus, and they belong to the order Passeriformes, the largest order of birds. This order consists of over half of the bird species in the world. They also go by the name perching birds.

Their most distinctive feature is their three toes, two facing forward and one robust and flexible toe facing backward, called the hallux, that aids them in perching on branches.

Generally, most perching birds have 12 tail feathers. They are very diverse and found in most parts of the world. Common redstarts come in various patterns, colors, shapes, and sizes. When passeriform chicks hatch, they are naked and blind, so their parents cater to their every need.

Redstarts belong to the family Muscicapidae, which consists of about 286 bird species, mostly confined to the Old World ( Europe, Asia, and Africa). These birds generally measure between 3 and 9 inches long and have flat, broad bills, short legs, tails, and short, rounded wings. Their colors vary from gray, black, blue, brown, and red.

Subspecies

There are only two subspecies of the common Redstart, which are:

• The common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus)
• The Southeastern Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamisicus)

Size and Appearance

Common redstarts are similar in size to a Robin, with two exceptions: they are slimmer and have longer tails. They measure 5.5inches long and weigh 0.35 to 0.8 ounces, with a wingspan of 8.6 inches. In addition, males and females differ in appearance.

Males

Male redstarts have rich orange-red rumps and tails, with a dark central panel. Their upper parts are slate gray, which continues onto the crown. They have jet-black faces and a white stripe running down their foreheads. In addition, the male’s underparts are a vibrant orange-red with a white undertail.

Common redstarts are petite, measuring only 5.5 inches long. However, they are often identified by their long legs and habit of shivering their tails.

Females

Female redstarts are much paler than males and have orange-red tails and underparts. Their throats are fair, and they have light buff-brown upper parts.

Juveniles

Juveniles are similar to adults, with some exclusions. They lack the gray plumage of the males and present a mix of the two genders.

Their faces are dark with a white stripe running down their foreheads, and their underparts are buff-orange, with a brownish-gray back. Juveniles have orange-red rumps with a dark center. In addition, they have white bellies and undertails and black bills, eyes, and legs.

Migration Pattern and Timing

Redstarts migrate to central Africa in the winter and return to the UK during summer to breed between April and September.

Behavior

These tiny birds like to feed on invertebrates and berries. They forage on lower branches in trees and in bushes. Redstarts fly from their perches to catch prey on the ground and return to the perch to enjoy their meal. While hunting insects, they often perform short sallies during flight.

In addition, they flutter in front of trunks, vegetation, and branches, which helps them catch their prey. Males are generally distinguished by their plumage, but one can also identify them through their actions of shivering their tails.

The breeding season sees males singing more often than usual and making many short flights. Males are responsible for choosing the nest site before attracting a female. In addition, male redstarts perform zigzag flights among the trees, where copulation often occurs. This behavior generally lasts until incubation begins.

Redstarts are migratory, leaving their breeding grounds in autumn from mid-August to November and migrating back between February and April.

Diet

Common redstarts are omnivores and eat invertebrates, including:

• Larval beetles
• Flies
• Ants
• Bees
• Wasps
• Damselflies
• Spiders
• Molluscs
• Earthworms

In addition, redstarts like to feed on various fruits and berries.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

The breeding season occurs in spring; however, it can vary depending on the range. Female redstarts build nests in cavities or holes in trees, roofs, and stone walls, generally 3.2 to 20 feet off the ground.

The nests are cup-shaped and constructed from roots, grass, and moss. They line their nests with fur and feathers for extra warmth.

Female redstarts lay between 5 and 7 pale blue eggs, which sometimes have dark red speckles. Their incubation period lasts for around 12 to 14 days. Chicks are born with dark gray down on their heads and backs, and both parents feed them.

Hatchlings start to fledge at around 15 to 18 days, and their parents will continue to feed them for 3 additional weeks. They are proactive birds because the females may start a second brood while the male takes care of the first. Fledglings become independent at 30 days old. However, they remain in small groups, consisting of 2 to 3 birds, and eventually disperse in gardens.

Lifespan

Redstarts do not have a long lifespan and only live for 2 years on average. However, there are records of some individuals living up to five years in the wild.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

Redstarts fall prey to:

• Snakes
• Domestic cats
• Blue Jays
• Owls
• Common Grackles
• Hawks

Their biggest threat is deforestation. However, redstarts are highly adaptable and can build nests in stone walls, buildings, and nest boxes.

Luckily, the European population is stable, but unfortunately, populations in Spain and other parts of Europe are declining. However, redstarts are listed as Least Concern on IUCN’s Redlist.

Redstart Population

There are an estimated 15 million breeding pairs in Europe, and their global population size is estimated at around 17.5 to 32.7 million individuals. However, further information is needed for a more accurate number.