Black Redstart, Latin name: Phoenicurus ochruros, (S.G. Gmelin, 1774)
Family: Turdidae. (Thrush family)
But is now known to be in the Old-World Flycatcher Family: Muscicapidae.
Length: 14.5cm Wingspan: 23 to 26cm Weight: 14 to20g
Lifespan Up to 5 years.
Feeding on: Insects (often seen catching insects in flight), spiders, worms, grubs, seeds and some berries.
A bird with similar characters as the robin, being tolerant of human presence, so is often seen living in urban centres. The images below are of the western Black Redstart, which differs in colour to the Asian species having an orange breast plumage. The Asian species, are very rare vagrants into western Europe.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, stony ground, along coastline cliffs, quarries, rocky coves and mountainous regions, has also adapted to urban habitats, especially run-down neglected ground areas, of larger towns and cities.
The Black Redstart is widespread resident over most of Europe, (except the northern Scandinavia countries) being more common in Western Europe, mainly breeding in Spain, France and most countries bordering on the northern coastlines of the Mediterranean. Also, a rare visitor to England and Ireland, mainly along the southern coastlines, where there are also some permanent residents. Mainly breeds and overwinters in the milder southern European countries, can also be seen as far south into some north African countries.
(There are fewer than a 100 breeding pairs in the UK, the Black Redstart is on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern; also listed 1 species, on the Wildlife and Countryside Act).
Nesting: A grassy nest supported in a hole usually a cavity in a cliff or between fallen rocks, nest can also be constructed in a building crevasse or on a ledge.
4 to 6 eggs, May to July, 2 broods.
Voice: the male has a rattling song and a continuous tick call. An immature male will often sing and may breed while still in immature plumage.
Flight: A very agile bird, will often be seen darting in confined s spaces with quick dashes and bursts of flicking wingbeats; also will continuously flick its tail, robin like, as it searches around for insects.