Taxonomy
Phoenicurus phoenicurus | Common Redstart | Earrdheargán
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
This species is Red-listed
according to Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2020-2026 and is of high
conservation value as a result.
This species has moved to the Red
list due to breeding population and range declines in Ireland (Gilbert, Stanbury and Lewis, 2021).
Species Biology
Identification
Both the male and female Common Redstart
can be readily identified by their vibrant red-orange tails.
The male is even more vibrant
with a black face and wings, grey upperparts and burnt orange chest and rump.
Females and young are generally
much less conspicuous with a less intense orange chest and rump, and a brown
face. They may be confused with a Robin for this reason.
A typical Common Redstart stands
at 14 cm length with a wingspan of 20-24 cm and weighs 11-19 grams.
Diet
The Common Redstart is primarily
insectivorous, feeding on various larval species, worms and spiders but will
feed on some plant material such as berries.
Habitat
In Ireland, it breeds in
semi-natural broadleaf forests with an abundance of prey items such as insects.
Reproduction
A clutch of 6-7 eggs, weighing
approximately 1.9 grams each are laid in early-May to June and are incubated
for a period of 13-14 days.
The young will fledge after 16-17
days.
A typical life expectancy for the
Common Redstart in the wild is two years with breeding occurring at one year.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
It is a rare summer visitor to
Ireland with a small breeding population in County Wicklow.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
Further information
BirdWatch
Ireland: https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/common-redstart/
The Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/redstart/
British Trust for Ornithology: https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob11220.htm
IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22710055/155611852
References
Publications
Gilbert, G., Stanbury, A. and Lewis, L., 2021. Birds of Conservation
Concern in Ireland 4: 2020-2026. [online] Wicklow. Available at:
<https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds-of-conservation-concern-in-ireland/>
[Accessed 2 Jun. 2021].