Black Redstart
| Irish Name: | Earrdheargán dubh |
| Scientific name: | Phoenicurus ochruros |
| Bird Family: | Chats |
green
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
Scarce passage migrant in spring and autumn, as well as a scarce winter visitor mainly to eastern and southern coasts.
Identification
About the same size as a Robin and has a similar shape. In all plumages has rusty-red undertail coverts and tail, which is frequently shivered. Adult males are a glossy black on the head, back and underparts. Has a small white patch on the secondaries. Juvenile and adult females are inseparable, being a mousy grey-brown colour all over. Very similar to female/juvenile Common Redstarts in this plumage, though the latter tend to be a more beige-brown colour.
Voice
Rather quiet. Infrequently a "vist" can be heard. Has a remarkable song, which is unlikely to be heard in Ireland - a couple of soft whistled notes followed a "scrunching" sound.
Diet
Insects. Sits on exposed perch, before hopping or flying a short distance to catch suitable prey.
Breeding
Does not breed in Ireland. The small breeding population in Britain (<100 pairs) prefers bare areas in industrial estates and towns. In Continental Europe, breeds in towns, vineyards and rocky slopes in uplands.
Wintering
A scarce winter visitor to coastal areas in the east and south of Ireland. Frequently seen at sites which resemble their breeding habitat (exposed cliffs/rocks) with plenty of insects.
Monitored by
Winters mainly on milder Southern coasts.
Summer breeding range across most of Central Europe, resident in South.
Blog posts about this bird
BirdWatch Ireland Celebrates 50th Anniversary
[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]Initially set up as the Irish Wild Bird Conservancy or IWC in 1968. BirdWatch Ireland as it is now known has gone from strength to strength over it's 50 years in existence. BirdWatch Ireland is now Ireland's largest independant wildlife conservation organisation, annually carrying out vitally important works for protecting birds and biodiversity (which just so happens to be our motto). This work includes; surveys and monitoring of birds and their habitats, so we can keep a finger on the pulse of wildbird populations and implement protective measures if these populations are negatively impacted by anthropogenic or other negative factors. In addition, the important policy and advocacy work we carry out around the clock means that Irish wildlife has the strongest possible voice in the halls of power across Ireland and indeed Europe. Explore our website and find out more about some of this critical ongoing work. To ensure the protection of our wildlife for future generations it is imperative to provide education for the next generation of wildlife lovers.
In achieving this we have collaborated with our European BirdLife partners to produce teacher training resources and subsequently delivered this material through teacher training workshops. BirdWatch Ireland acts as a unified voice for the concerns of our passionate and dedicated wildlife supporters, without whom the organisation would certainly not be in the respected position it is today. On the occassion of BirdWatch Irelands 50th Anniversary, everyone in the organisation would like to say a very special thank you to our members and supporters. If you are not already involved with BirdWatch Ireland Click the Become A Member tab and make a difference for your wildlife today. Here's to another 50 years protecting Ireland's Birds and Biodiversity.
Read More in Wings about the Roots of BirdWatch Ireland:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text][birdwatch-publication-list filters='false' number-posts='false' ids='6611'][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="full_width_background" full_screen_row_position="middle" bg_image="5020" bg_position="center top" bg_repeat="no-repeat" parallax_bg="true" parallax_bg_speed="fast" bg_color="#f7f7f7" scene_position="center" text_color="light" text_align="left" top_padding="85" bottom_padding="90" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" shape_type=""][vc_column enable_animation="true" animation="fade-in-from-bottom" column_padding="padding-1-percent" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1556289037459{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}" el_class="title-line"]
