What do female redstarts look like? How do redstarts and black redstarts differ from each other? In our profile you will find out everything you need to know about food, nests, young birds and more.
Although the name Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) indicates a frequently seen guest in domestic gardens, the species is much less common than the closely related black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros). In the last few decades in particular, the population of the redstart has declined sharply, as its preferred habitats, such as sparse forests and meadow orchards, are being lost more and more in our intensively used landscape. In order to draw attention to this situation, the Redstart was voted “Bird of the Year” in 2011. Anyone who discovers the species in their garden today can consider themselves lucky and will also be rewarded with a breathtaking sight. Because the redstart impresses with its high-contrast and colorful plumage. Here you can find out how to clearly identify the rare redstart, how to distinguish it from the black redstart and much more.
Redstart: Profile
| Size | About 13 - 14 cm |
| Weight | About 15g |
| Incubation | May - July |
| Lifetime | About 5 years |
| Habitat | Orchards, sparse forests, parks and gardens |
| Food Preference | Insects, Spiders, Berries |
| Threats | Habitat and food resource loss |
How to recognize the Redstart
A male Redstart is a magnificent and unique sight. The small songbirds have a dark gray back and the same colored elytra. They also sport a gray cap that separates a white headband from a jet black face, and a bright rust red underparts that extends to the base of the tail.
Likedo redstart females and males differ?
Female specimens of the redstart are clearly more plainly colored. The grey-brown upper side contrasts only slightly with the slightly lighter underside. Although the breast of the female is slightly orange-red in color, the intensity of the color can vary between individuals and in some is only faintly visible or not at all. The only clear spot of color is the bright rusty red underside of the tail, which often only becomes visible when flying up.
How does the redstart song sound like?
The redstart's song sounds a bit wistful and consists of a series of very clear whistling tones. Although the exact structure can vary somewhat, the song usually begins with a single high note, then transitions into a slightly descending stanza of whistles and ends with differently designed final tones: "Sii-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu -jik-jik-jik".
You can listen to the song of the redstart here:
How do you recognize young Redstarts?
Young redstart birds can be clearly identified by the red underside of their tails. The remaining plumage colors are more reminiscent of the inconspicuous appearance of the females, from which the young differ by a lot of fine speckles. The spots disappear over the first winter, but the chicks do not shine in adult plumage until the following spring.
How do you recognize redstart eggs?
Redstart eggs are an intense green-blue and show no pattern. The eggs are laid in a nest hollow that has been carefully padded with moss, hair and feathers. A female lays between six and seven eggs per clutch.
What is the difference between redstart and black redstart?
Redstart and black redstart share the shape and the bright rust-red underside of the tail. In contrast to the redstart, however, the male black redstart does not have a red breast. Their back, head and burst are all dark, face and chest even deep black. Instead, a white one is visible on the dark elytra of the male black redstartWing field off.
Because black and redstart females are much more plainly colored, they are also more difficult to distinguish. However, black redstart females have darker plumage in comparison, while common redstart females have a lighter, slightly red colored breast.
What habitat does the redstart prefer?
As cave breeders, redstarts need mature trees with knotholes and other tree cavities in their natural habitat. They therefore prefer sparse forests and forest edges. But landscapes that are shaped a little more by people are also gladly accepted, such as meadow orchards, parks and wild gardens.
Where does the redstart build its nest?
The redstart builds its nest in a cave or semi-cave. Natural tree cavities, building and wall niches or nesting boxes are used for this. The male presents the female with several nesting options in his territory, but the female makes the final decision and designs the home herself. The cavity is made over the entire width with nesting material in the form of straw, leaves, sticks, moss or lichen and the small one Hollow for the eggs padded with lots of soft material such as hair or feathers.
When do Redstarts breed?
Redstarts breed between May and July. During this time usually only one, rarely two broods are reared. After all the eggs have been laid, they are incubated for about two weeks. After this, the young birds are fed in the nest for another 14 days before they are big enough to explore the surroundings. By the end of August at the latest, however, all the young have flown and have to set off on their first big journey.
Where is the redstart in winter?
The redstart is one of the long-distance migrants. The animals spend the winter south of the Sahara. They don't return to us until the end of March to the beginning of April. The males arrive a little earlier and occupy their territories so they have something to offer the females when they arrive.
Support the Redstart: How it works
Due to the increasing intensification of our agriculture and the ongoing insect mortality, demRedstart slowly but surely withdrawn from nesting and food sources. In the following sections you will find out how you can offer the colorful bird a home in your own garden.
What do redstarts eat?
Redstarts are passionate insect eaters. The animals are often searched for on the ground or in the lower layer of shrubs. But spiders, harvestmen and other small animals such as millipedes or isopods, as well as berries and fruits are eaten. Since the redstarts spend the winter in Africa, classic winter feeding is not possible. In summer, redstarts are most happy about a plentiful supply of insects.
Which nest boxes are suitable for the redstart?
As cave and semi-cave breeders, redstarts are very well supported with a nest box in the garden. In our special article you can find out how you can easily build a nesting box yourself, which materials are suitable and where it is best to attach the finished nesting aid. Redstarts prefer one or two oval entrance holes in closed, fully hollow boxes, each of which should be 30 millimeters wide and 45 millimeters high. But semi-hollow boxes with a semi-open front are also popular.
How can you support the Redstart?
A nesting box in the garden is certainly inviting, but in order to persuade a redstart to move in, the food supply must of course also be right. Create a bird and insect friendly garden with a range of insect friendly flowers that you can plant individually or as a seed mix. You can create such a flower meadow quickly and easily with our Plantura beneficial insect magnet, for example. With this seed mixture, you can easily create a true paradise of beneficial insects that not only garden birds will be happy about, but also your plants.
Of course, many other bird species are also happy about such a food supply. If you want to find out more about the feathered visitors to the garden, then take a look at our other species portraits of common swifts, serins and Co.