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| Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus |
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Redstarts are mainly found in the north & west of the UK, with the highest numbers found in Wales. Can be seen between April & September. They are a widespread summer visitor. |
| Indentification |
| Adult |
Male - in the summer the male has a dove grey crown and back and wings of brown. A black face and white eyebrows. Its underparts are orange - red as is it tail. The female also has an orange - red tail but is buffy brown on its back, darker brown wings and a buffy under belly. |
| Juvenile |
Similar to the female but speckled. |
| Size |
13.5 - 14.5 cms |
| Bill |
black, medium in length, short & pointed |
| Legs |
black medium in length |
| Habitat |
woods, heaths, parks, streams, coastal scrub. Spends a lot of its time at ground level. |
| Behaviour |
flits, perches openly, hops, takes off & lands from vegetation or the ground. |
| Flocking |
solitary |
| Flight |
direct, flittering |
| Voice |
hooeet, brief warble. |
| Breeding |
| Nest |
banks, tree roots or tree holes. |
| Eggs |
6 - 7 pale blue |
| Incubation period |
11 - 14 days |
| Fledgling |
14 - 20 days |
| Broods |
2; May - June |
| Food |
mainly insects but also spiders, worms & berries |
| UK breeding pairs |
90,000 - 330,000 |
| Selection of popular products |
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