Breeding birds: 19 – 44 pairs
Wintering birds: 400
Family: Old world flycatchers and chats
Adult male black redstarts have slate-grey upperparts, with darker markings on the wings. The flight feathers are dark grey with white edges that form a white patch when the wings are closed. The rump and tail are rusty-orange and the upper tail feathers are black with rust edges.
On the underparts, the belly and flanks are slate-grey, the lower belly and undertail feathers are rust, and the breast and throat are black.
The crown and nape are grey, while the face is black, with rictal bristles that surround the bill. The eyes and bill are black, as are the legs and feet.
Female black redstarts are a duller brown-grey colour, with dark brown wings. The underparts are light grey, and the rump, vent, and undertail are rust but paler than the male’s. On the head, the cheeks and ear coverts are brown.
Juvenile black redstarts are similar to females, but are slightly darker overall and they have scaling on the throat and breast.
Black redstarts nest in holes and cavities in rocks and walls or sometimes in piles of stones on the ground. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest from grass, moss, wool, hair and feathers.
Black redstarts lay 4-6 white eggs that are incubated for 12-13 days by the female alone. Chicks leave the nest after about 12-17 days but are unable to fly for several days and stay near the nest.
Black redstarts have a varied diet feeding mainly on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, flies, ants, beetles, spiders, insects, worms and snails. They will also eat fruit, berries and seeds.
Black redstarts can be found during breeding season in urban areas in London, Birmingham, Sheffield Nottingham, Manchester, Ipswich, and Liverpool.
During spring migration they can be found all over the UK but are most likely to be spotted along the coast. And on return passage in autumn they are numerous in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly.
Black redstarts began colonizing Britain after World War II, when heavy bombing in London and other cities gave them a plethora of potential nest sites.
26 Responses
Male spotted several times in our garden in Newlyn, Cornwall, over the last few days.
I spotted one 27/02/2024 by Haslar bridge in Gosport.
There’s been a male coming to the sunflower feeder in my garden for the last week or two – I’m in Exmouth, by the sea, in Devon. The sparrows aren’t welcoming it though and gang up to chase it off.
Spotted one today in Frome, Somerset. Lovely!
Spotted one today at work. Hickstead. E. Sussex
One in my garden in Worthing for the last few weeks male
One female in my garden this morning. 3rd Dec 2022.
A beautiful fine detailed plumage.
Perranporth, Cornwall.
I just saw a Black Redstart in North Bristol.
Very pretty.
Spotted a black redstart in my garden yesterday he’s still about and doesn’t seem too bothered by me. We live by the coast in Clevedon North Somerset
We have had two in our garden , a male and female for the past two weeks. ( LELANT, Cornwall) So beautiful
Saw a male on Monday outside our flat, kept flying past us then flew through our flats open garage. Then got out our car this evening and heard the them 2 females this time flying in and out the garage with food. I’m sure the nest is in the garage will check tomorrow. Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour
Spotted one early evening in a car park by Preston Park in Brighton. Have never seen one before, a real treat!
I live in the south of France and have five chicks in a nest opposite my kitchen window 3 m away! The redstart took residence in the 4 year old swallows nest and when the swallows returned they were not pleased! After a morning of trying to intimidate the black red start who was sitting on her eggs, they gave up and They have now started building another nest further along the rafter.I’m interested to see how the checks will cope as I understand they leave the nest before they can fly. Obviously I’m worried about predators. They will be on my Veranda!
Never seen one until today, one male, one female in my garden in South East Cornwall. Found this page while trying to identify them.
Pretty sure saw female in garden Clacton on Sea
I am in Thorpe le soken and 99% sure I saw one on my garden fence
I believe I have just seen one of these birds on our bird feeder by the house in Kirkby Stephen eating seeds, it seems a bit unusual in Cumbrian woodland in January.
We have seen this bird in the centre of Leamington Spa visiting three adjoining small walled gardens. It has a distinctive tail flicking when perched
We have a female in our garden, their bright red tails are incredible.
We’ve had a male hanging around our farm yard for a while, just managed to find out what it is.
I’ve just seen a male in my back garden in Cowes, Isle of Wight. I’ve never seen one before and had to look it up as it’s not often I see a bird I don’t recognise in my neck of the woods.
Delightful bird, full of energy. Oh it’s back again!
Have one of these visiting my garden in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Stunning!
We’ve just watched a male having a bath in our front garden nr Villena nr Alicante,Spain
We have had a female in our back garden this afternoon in south Leicestershire eating the berries on our dogwood. Took us a while to id as we aren’t in an area they are seen in generally
Just saw one darting around catching insects on the coast in Hastings. Looked fantastic in the Autumn sunshine!
one spotted in my garden yesterday , I live in Basildon Essex , took a while to identify until I found this website.