Flycatchers and chats · Perching birds
Black Redstart
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Phoenicurus ochruros
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Voice
Alarm
Song
Call
How to recognize it
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Smaller than a sparrow, slim and restless
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Male dark grey to black, with a rusty orange tail
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European males show a clear white wing patch
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Tail flicks constantly; sometimes hovers to catch insects
About the species
The black redstart is easy to remember for its restless way of moving. It keeps shifting position, sits upright, and flicks its tail again and again, while the dark body and rusty tail stand out well on walls, roofs, and stone.
It is a busy, fairly noisy character. The song is a rough, simple mix of trills, whistles, and sharp ticking notes, and the male often sings from a high perch such as a rock, roof edge, or other open lookout.
It started out on rocky slopes and cliffs, but now also fits in well around people, especially in industrial areas, building sites, and single structures in open ground. It feeds mostly on small invertebrates, catching them on the ground and in the air, and in summer and autumn it also takes berries; in milder places many stay year-round.
Where to find
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On old brick buildings, under eaves and in wall cracks — a male often sings from the highest ledge, tail flicking orange-red.
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Around construction sites, industrial yards and stony vacant lots — watch the ground, where it makes short dashes after insects.
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Near bridges, chimneys and church domes — look for a perch on an exposed ledge before a quick swoop.
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Along railway embankments and gravelly slopes — it favors open spots and often gives a sharp ticking call.
