Common redstarts, or simply redstarts, are breeding visitors that are only found in the UK between April and October. They generally inhabit scrubs, woodland, and parks.
Black redstarts are a rare breeding bird but can be seen all year round during passage particular in urban areas, although they will move into scrub and woodland for breeding season.
Males are fairly straightforward to tell apart when you know what you’re looking for but females are a little trickier.
Male common redstart
Male common redstarts have bright orange-red underparts and dark grey on their back. On the head the face is black and the crown is grey and there is a white stripe above the eye.
The song is a series of high-pitched but soft melodious whistles.
Female common redstart
Pale orange underparts
1 of 3Pale eye-ring
2 of 3Pale whitish belly and undertail
3 of 3Female common redstarts have pale orange underparts with a whiter belly and undertail. They have a distinctive pale eye-ring.
Male black redstart
Male black redstarts are dark sooty grey except for the dull red-orange under tail, and conspicuous wing patch.
The song is a mix of whistles and rattles interspersed with quieter jangling sounds.
Female black redstart
Pale orange wash under the tail
1 of 2Much greyer and duller overall
2 of 2Female black redstarts are much duller than female common redstarts. There is small patch of white at the base of the legs and pale orange under the tail.
