Redstart, (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) Also known as “Common Redstart”.
Family: Turdidae
Length: 14cm Wingspan: 20 to 24cm Weight: 12 to 20g
Lifespan: up to 5 years.
Seen all year in Alicante, Spain.
Seen over much of Europe from March till October to breed. but spends the winter months in the southern countries of Europe, especially near to the Mediterranean Sea. Not so common as the closer related, Black Redstart.
Redstart numbers have drastically fallen in recent years, its status is currently classed as “Concerned.”
The males in spring plumage are very attractive colourful birds, having a bold white forehead, with blueish grey plumage, from the crown to over their back feathers. Females are much plainer in plumage, but both sexes have rusty red tail feathers, which they flick when covering the ground looking for food.
Redstarts are a very similar species in appearance to the Robin, without the vivid red breast, they are also as bold as Robins, near humans.
Habitat: open ground and woodlands with little undergrowth. Pine trees, rocky slopes, so often seen near water (lakes, rivers and streams) and especially near the coast.
Feeding: Will feed in various foliage, or taking brief visits to the ground, always searching for insects, spiders, caterpillars, small worms and some berries and small fruits.
Nesting: A Grass nest is constructed, line with feathers and hair. In a crevice or hole in a tree, rock or buildings, will also take advantage of a nest box. 5 to 7 eggs are laid, between, May and June; 1 brood a year.
Images below, are of the female.