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Latin name

Phoenicurus ochruros

Family

Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)

Overview

The black redstart is a small robin-sized bird that has adapted to live at the heart of industrial and urban centres. Its name comes from the plumage of the male, which is grey-black in colour with a red tail. With fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK, the black redstart is on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Where to see them

Mainly in urban areas of Greater London, Birmingham and the Black Country with a few pairs in Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Ipswich, and the odd pair at cliff sites and power stations along the south coast between Suffolk and Dorset. In winter found from Lancashire and Lincolnshire southwards, and along the south coast.

When to see them

Look in wintering areas from September, when autumn passage birds will aslo be seen. Spring migrants are seen in March and April.

What they eat

Insects, spiders, worms, berries and seeds.

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

In the UK

Breeds in southern England and Midlands, winter around south, east and west caosts of England and Wales.

In Europe

Western, central and southern Europe.

Worldwide

Europe, Asia and Africa

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

2 illustrations 12

Male

Black redstart - female

Similar birds

Redstart