© Photo by Mark Hamblin Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus An elegant, robin-sized chat, the redstart is a summer visitor, arriving here in April and leaving in September. © Photo by Ben Porter 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. How to Identify Males are grey above with a red breast, black throat, long, black legs and a long, red tail. The similar black redstart is a very rare nesting bird in city centres and industrial areas, although more common on migration when it can turn up in similar places to the redstart. The male black redstart is a dark, sooty grey, with a pale wing patch and red rump and tail. Where to Find Widespread, although rare or absent from eastern and central England. Can turn up anywhere during migration. How People Can Help Redstarts are under threat from habitats loss and fragmentation. The Wildlife Trusts manage woodland nature reserves sympathetically for many bird species. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention all help woodland wildlife to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about birds. Did you know? Redstarts are named after their red tail, which they frequently ‘shiver’. Key FactsLength: 14cmWingspan: 22cmWeight: 15gAverage lifespan: 2 years Donate Donate to help support Redstart and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds