Latin name

Phoenicurus ochruros

Family

(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.

This text was provided with kind permission from the RSPB www.rspb.org.uk