Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Black Redstart
Scientific Name:
Phoenicurus ochruros
Length:
13-14.5cm
Wingspan (mm):
24cm
Weight:
16g Description
In summer, the male's plumage is striking with grey upperparsts, a sooty black face and breast and a bold white wing patch, with a rusty red rump and tail.
The female is duller, brown-grey with a rust red rump and tail. Juveniles are similar in appearance to female birds.
In winter the male resembles the female.
They are a slim, upright bird that is very shy.
Distribution
Usually found in industrial areas such as on derilict land, power stations or factories. Key breeding areas are located in London, additional breeding populations are found in Kent, Essex and the Midlands. Passage birds also occur in spring and autumn. A small number of birds also over-winter mainly though not exclusively on the coats.
Habitat
Winters on stoney ground, beaches, rocky shores and around buildings. Breeds in towns, villages and in mountainous scree or sea cliffs.
Diet
Black Redstarts feed mainly on insects and their larvae but will also take earthworms, and small snails and will eat berries in autumn.
Did You Know?
This species is specially protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This legislation protects Black redstart from nest destruction, killing or injuring and also disturbance while breeding.