Redstart

Redstart

©Richard Steel/2020VISION

Redstart

©Richard Steel/2020VISION

Redstart

Redstart (male) ©Margaret Holland

Redstart

Enw gwyddonol: Phoenicurus phoenicurus
A summer visitor to the UK, the red-tailed redstart is a robin-sized bird that can be spotted in woodlands, parks and hedgerows, mainly in the north and west of the UK.

Species information

Ystadegau

Length: 14cm
Wingspan: 22cm
Weight: 15g
Average lifespan: 2 years

Statws cadwraethol

Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).

Pryd i'w gweld

April to September

Ynghylch

An elegant, robin-sized chat, the redstart is a summer visitor, arriving here in April and leaving in September. It feeds on insects, especially butterfly and beetle larvae, and can be seen foraging in woodlands, hedgerows, parks and beside streams. Redstarts have an upright stance and can be seen 'bobbing': moving in a similar fashion to Robins. They spend most of their time in the trees.

Sut i'w hadnabod

Male redstarts are grey above, with a red breast, black throat, long, black legs, and a long, red tail. The similar-looking black redstart is a dark, sooty grey and red tail, and is a rare nesting bird that frequents city centres and industrial areas, rather than woodlands.

Dosbarthiad

Found in the north and west of the UK, particularly Wales. Can turn up anywhere during migration.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

Redstarts are named after their red tail, which they frequently 'shiver'.

Gwyliwch

Redstart by Tom Hibbert