Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros (SG Gmelin, 1774)
BX
BLARE
11210
Family: Passeriformes > Muscicapidae
Black Redstart is a scarce breeding bird in Britain, with a population thought to have peaked at 120 pairs and largely associated with industrial sites and city centres.
The species is regularly recorded at coastal sites in small numbers, and some individuals may overwinter. Black and Common Redstarts may occasionally hybridise.
Identification
Black Redstart identification is often straightforward. The following article may help when identifying Black Redstart.
Identifying Redstarts
In late summer and autumn Redstarts and Black Redstarts can turn up anywhere; The males are easy to identify but how do you separate females and young birds? This video will help you to spot the subtle differences that will allow you confidently identify a bird that is not sporting the males stunning summer colours.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
POPULATION CHANGE
The Black Redstart is unusual amongst rare British breeding birds in that it is often found breeding in urban areas. The first breeding records occurred in the 1920s and, whilst it remained scarce, the number of records increased during the Second World War (Witherby & Fitter 1947; Fitter 1948), in particular in London which still remains one of its strongholds. A national survey in 1977 found a total of 104 territorial males, consistent with numbers obtained from local bird reports in the years immediately preceding and following the survey (Morgan & Glue 1981). The species remains scarce and is assessed by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. The data suggest breeding numbers may have decreased since the late 1970s although numbers have remained stable in the 25 years to 2019 and there was a mean of 65 breeding pairs reported to the RBBP over the period 2015–2019 (including possible breeding records such as singing males) (Eaton et al. 2021). However, it is unclear whether a genuine decline has occurred given the difficulty in recording breeding evidence in urban areas. The number of 10-km squares with breeding evidence doubled between the 1968–72 and the 2008–11 Atlases with some gains occurring outside the core areas in south-east England (Balmer et al. 2013).
DISTRIBUTION
Black Redstarts are localised breeders with most records concentrated around London, coastal Kent, East Anglia and northwest England. During 2008–11 there were no confirmed breeding records in Ireland and the only one in Scotland, on Lewis, involved the sighting of a single recently fledged juvenile, with the exact breeding site not determined. They are scarce in winter, with most records coming from along the south coasts of Ireland, Wales and England.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in breeding season | 134 |
% occupied in breeding season | 4.4 |
No. occupied in winter | 617 |
% occupied in winter | 20 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Although the core breeding range has changed relatively little, the number of occupied squares with breeding evidence has doubled since 1968–72 and many of the gains were outside southeast England, suggesting a slow range expansion.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +97.1% |
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +52.3% |
SEASONALITY
Black Redstart can be recorded throughout the year; it is scarcest in the summer when a rare breeder. Most records are during autumn passage in late autumn and some birds winter, especially in the south.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Black Redstart, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
Maximum Age from Ringing | 5 years 0 months 2 days (set in 2015) |
BIOMETRICS
Wing Length | Adults | 84.9±2.9 | Range 81–89mm, N=302 |
Juveniles | 84.7±2.5 | Range 81-89mm, N=572 | |
Males | 86.9±3 | Range 83–90.75mm, N=100 | |
Females | 83.9±2.4 | Range 80–88mm, N=145 |
Body Weight | Adults | 16.2±1.4 | Range 14.2–18.5g, N=295 |
Juveniles | 15.5±1.4 | Range 13.4–17.8g, N=565 | |
Males | 16.8±1.4 | Range 15.0–19.5g, N=95 | |
Females | 15.7±1.3 | Range 13.9–18.1g, N=144 |
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Ring size | A |
Field Codes | 2-letter: BX | 5-letter code: BLARE | Euring: 11210 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Black Redstart from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
The causes of changes in Black Redstart numbers are unclear and speculative but the colonisation of England followed an expansion of the European breeding range from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. Climate change has been suggested as a possible driver of this range expansion, and the colonisation of England has been attributed to the creation of suitable nest sites due to bombing, particularly in London, and the microclimate of the city (Morgan & Glue 1981). Recent apparent decreases have in turn been speculatively attributed to a reduction in the number of available nest sites following development, with the creation of 'green roofs' designed for Black Redstarts being proposed as a potential solution (Grant, date unknown).
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Potential influence of habitat and predation on local breeding success and population in spotted flycatchers Muscicapa striata
- The evolution of nest-site selection among hole-nesting birds: the importance of nest predation and competition
- A comparison of the breeding ecology of collared flycatchers nesting in boxes and natural cavities
Read more studies about Black Redstart on Conservation Evidence >
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