Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Earrdheargán

Status: Rare summer visitor to decidous woodlands in County Wicklow. Scarce passage in spring and autumn mainly to eastern and southern coasts.

Conservation Concern: Amber-listed in Ireland due to its small breeding population. The European population has been evaluated as Depleted, due to a moderate historical decline.

Identification: The same size as Robin and Black Redstart. Like the latter species, has rusty red undertail coverst and tail, which is frequently shivered. Adult males are very distinctive, having a blackish face and throat, with an obvious white stripe from the eye across the forehead. The back and mantle are grey, while the underparts are a deep rufous-brown. Adult females and juveniles are inseperable, being a beige brown colour all over.

Similar Species: Black Redstart

Call: Most frequently heard call is a "huit-tic-tic". The song is a richly melodic series of notes delivered at a slow tempo.

Diet: Insects. Feeds mostly in the tree canopy during the breeding season. Migrants feed on the ground when found at coastal headlands.

Breeding: Breeds in extensive insect-rich broadleaf forests in Ireland; in Continental Europe in parks, gardens and pine forests (Scandinavia). Will use nest-boxes.

Wintering: Winters in tropical Africa.

Where to See: The breeding population in County Wicklow is very small and sensitive to disturbance. Best looked for in autumn at coastal headlands, such as Cape Clear in County Cork.

Monitored by: Countryside Bird Survey and BirdTrack.