Black Redstart

Informazioni

The Black Redstart is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common and widespread species across much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, often associated with human settlements and rocky, open habitats. Known for its distinctive rusty-red tail, which it frequently quivers, and the striking black plumage of the adult male.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

13-14.5 cm

Apertura alare

23-26 cm

Peso

12-20 g

Longevità

2-5 years (up to 10 years recorded)

Dieta

Insectivore, occasionally supplemented with berries and seeds

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Adult male: Sooty black overall, with a bright rusty-red tail (ochruros means 'red-tailed'), a white patch on the primary coverts (often visible as a wing patch), and a black face. Adult female: Dull grey-brown overall, paler on the underparts, with a rusty-red tail similar to the male but less vibrant. No white wing patch. First-winter male: Resembles a female but often shows some darker grey or blackish feathers, especially on the head and breast, and may have a small, indistinct white wing patch. First-winter female: Very similar to adult female, perhaps slightly duller.

Forma del becco

Slender, pointed, and dark (blackish)

Colore degli occhi

Dark brown

Colore delle zampe

Blackish

Caratteristiche distintive

The constantly quivering rusty-red tail is the most distinctive feature across all plumages. The male's sooty black body with a white wing patch is unmistakable. Females and juveniles are duller but still show the characteristic tail.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles are mottled grey-brown with pale spots, resembling a young Robin or Thrush, but always show the rusty-red tail. They lack the white wing patch and the distinct black/grey of adults.

Cambiamenti stagionali

No significant seasonal plumage changes in adults. First-winter birds moult into adult-like plumage by their first breeding season.

Dimorfismo sessuale

Pronounced. Males are distinctly black with a white wing patch, while females are grey-brown and lack the wing patch.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Tail color and movement

   Look for the constantly quivering, rusty-red tail. This is the most reliable field mark for all ages and sexes.

2. 2

   Male plumage

   Adult males are unmistakable: sooty black body, black face, and a prominent white patch on the wing (primary coverts).

3. 3

   Female plumage

   Females are dull grey-brown overall, paler below, but still show the rusty-red tail. They lack the white wing patch.

4. 4

   Habitat

   Check urban areas, industrial sites, old buildings, quarries, and rocky slopes. They often perch prominently on rooftops, walls, or rocks.

5. 5

   Song and calls

   Listen for the distinctive scratchy, metallic song with the 'crushed glass' sound, and the sharp 'tseep' or 'tack' calls.

6. 6

   Behavior

   Observe their foraging style: darting from a perch to catch insects on the ground or in the air, often returning to the same perch.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Temperate forests (especially rocky areas), urban and suburban environments, mountainous regions, coastal cliffs.

Areale geografico

Breeds across most of Europe, North Africa, and central Asia. Winters in southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Fascia altitudinale

From sea level up to 3000 meters in mountainous regions, particularly in the Alps and Himalayas.

Ambienti preferiti

Rocky outcrops, scree slopes, old quarries, industrial areas, urban centers (especially old buildings, ruins, factories), villages, and sometimes open woodlands with clearings. They prefer areas with vertical structures for perching and nesting.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Diurnal.

Abitudini alimentari

Primarily insectivorous, catching insects on the ground, from vegetation, or in short aerial sallies. They often perch prominently and dart down to catch prey. Diet includes beetles, ants, flies, caterpillars, spiders, and other invertebrates. In autumn and winter, they may supplement their diet with berries (e.g., elderberries, blackberries) and seeds.

Comportamento sociale

Generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they can be seen in loose aggregations, especially at rich feeding sites or during migration, but rarely form large flocks.

Tipo di volo

Direct and undulating flight, often low to the ground. When disturbed, they may fly short distances, often perching on a prominent spot. They frequently hover briefly while foraging.

Migrazione

Partially migratory. Northern and eastern populations are migratory, moving south to winter in the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and the Middle East. Southern and western populations may be resident or undertake short-distance movements. Migration occurs mainly at night.

Territorialità

Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, defending their nesting and foraging areas with song and displays.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

Typically April to July, often raising two broods.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Nests are usually built in cavities or sheltered ledges on buildings, ruins, rock faces, or tree holes. They are cup-shaped, made of moss, grass, roots, and lined with hair, feathers, and wool. Both sexes participate in nest building, though the female does most of the work.

Dimensione della covata

4-6 eggs (occasionally 3-7)

Descrizione dell'uovo

4-6 eggs, pure white, sometimes with a faint bluish tinge. Smooth and slightly glossy. Approximately 19 x 14 mm.

Periodo di incubazione

12-16 days, primarily by the female.

Periodo di involo

12-18 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.

Cure parentali

Both parents feed the nestlings and fledglings. The male often continues to feed the first brood while the female starts a second clutch.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Look for movement. Their constantly quivering tail is often the first thing to catch the eye, even before you see the bird clearly.
2. Listen for song. The male's distinctive song is a good indicator of its presence, especially during the breeding season. They often sing from high, exposed perches.
3. Check prominent perches. Black Redstarts frequently perch on the highest points of buildings, rocks, or fences, making them easier to spot.
4. Observe foraging behavior. Watch for birds darting down to the ground to catch insects and returning to a perch.
5. Visit early morning or late afternoon. These times are often when birds are most active and vocal.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

Scientific Name:

Phoenicurus ochruros

Family:

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)

Diet:

Insects, spiders, berries, seeds

Habitat:

Urban areas, rocky slopes, mountains

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Distinguishing Feature:

Constantly quivering rusty-red tail

Curiosità

• The Black Redstart is a pioneer species, often being one of the first birds to colonize new urban or industrial developments.
• Its scientific name 'ochruros' comes from Greek, meaning 'red-tailed', referring to its most striking feature.
• During World War II, Black Redstarts famously colonized bombed-out cities, earning them the nickname 'fire-tail' or 'phoenix bird' in some areas, as they thrived in the ruins.
• Despite its preference for human-modified landscapes, it originally evolved in rocky, mountainous environments.
• There are several recognized subspecies across its vast range, showing slight variations in plumage and size.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Passeriformes

Famiglia

Muscicapidae

Genere

Phoenicurus

Specie

Phoenicurus ochruros

Esplora Black Redstart