A striking bird species known for its bold black, grey, and white plumage, with males boasting a distinctive rusty-orange or red tail that catches the eye. In contrast, females and juveniles exhibit a more subdued brownish-gray tone, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. These small to medium-sized birds are widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa, where they inhabit a variety of habitats ranging from open woodlands and scrublands to mountainous regions.
During the breeding season, Common Redstarts are known for their preference for nesting sites in tree hollows or concealed areas, where they construct cup-shaped nests from twigs, grass, and other plant materials. They are agile fliers, capable of capturing insects both in mid-air and on the ground with impressive precision. One of the most charming aspects of these birds is their animated tail movements, which they often display while foraging or during courtship displays.
Despite their relatively small size, Common Redstarts are migratory birds, with populations from northern and central Europe embarking on extensive journeys to southern Europe and Africa for the winter months. This seasonal migration is driven by the need to escape harsh winter conditions and seek out more favorable habitats with abundant food resources.
In addition to their role as insectivores, Common Redstarts also play a vital role in seed dispersal and ecosystem dynamics. By feeding on insects and other invertebrates, they help regulate insect populations, contributing to the overall health of their ecosystems. Furthermore, their presence in diverse habitats makes them important indicators of habitat quality and biodiversity.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Iceland
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Sudan
Spain
Spain
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Yemen
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size)/ Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
