Bird Identification

[JamesBolam]

Hi

I live on the North York Moors next to a wood. Ihave seen a bird twice now next to my wood pile. It is not particularly shy but runs into the undergrowth. The size of a Robbin but more slender and delicate. Its back is perhaps similar in color to that of a Robbin. The breast is a very delicate grey mottle and the underside of its tail is rust colored. It shakes or shivers all the time. There are no other distinguishing features and my guess is black redstart. female or juv. but as I have never identified one before I am not sure.

[almostnormal]

it does sound like an immature black redstart. but without seeing it can't say 100% sure.

[Nicola Main]

I was going to say Dunnock but when you said the undertail is rust-coloured now I'm not so sure. I'm sure it's a Dunnock though.

[oseor]

I'd say a Dunnock too from you describing it as shaking and shivering

[JamesBolam]

Originally Posted by JamesBolam

Hi

I live on the North York Moors next to a wood. Ihave seen a bird twice now next to my wood pile. It is not particularly shy but runs into the undergrowth. The size of a Robbin but more slender and delicate. Its back is perhaps similar in color to that of a Robbin. The breast is a very delicate grey mottle and the underside of its tail is rust colored. It shakes or shivers all the time. There are no other distinguishing features and my guess is black redstart. female or juv. but as I have never identified one before I am not sure.

Thanks so far. I'm comfortable with almost all the British song birds and most others, it was not a dunnock.

[ChrisJB]

Dear James,

From your description, it does sound like a Black Redstart, possibly a female or immature. Apart from the rust under the tail, the shivering of the tail is a feature of both Redstart and Black Redstart.

Regards, Chris

[colinaj]

Black Redsart no. 1st winter Robin Yes.

[JamesBolam]

Thanks but to me this is an unusual bird. At least one Robin hatches a brood somewhere near me every year. Robins are familiar to me and it was not a juv. Robin or a Robin at any stage of its life. The real clue must be the rust coloured underside of its tail feathers in contrast to the topside which were a lighter colour.

[JamesBolam]

Thanks Colin
I'm familiar with the Robins' changing plumage. It's not a Robin. The clue must be the rust coloured underside of the tail feathers contrasting with the much lighter coloured topside. This is actually a very distinctive little bird and I can not positively identify it with any of my books or the web. The Redstart is unmistakable even if sightings are rare and if this is a Black Redstart its behavior does not in any way resemble that of its relation. The other feature which I noted was the very delicate and well defined grey mottling on the breast.

[colinaj]

Is it a female or juv common Redstart?