Nature Photographers Ltd

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus L 14cm. Colourful Robin-sized bird. Dark-centred red tail is pumped up and down when perched. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey back, nape and crown, black face and throat, and orange-red underparts (most colourful on breast). Note white forehead and supercilium. Adult female has grey-brown upperparts and head, and orange wash to pale underparts. 1st winter birds recall respective adult plumages but feathers have pale margins. Voice Utters a soft huiit call. Song is tuneful but melancholy. Status Locally common summer visitor to open woodland with plenty of tree holes for nesting and limited ground cover.