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Black Redstart Identification Guide

The Black Redstart is a small bird found in mountains and urban areas, easily recognised by its rufous tail and slate-grey plumage. It often lives close to buildings, walls, and rocky slopes. Here, you will learn how to identify the Black Redstart through its appearance, song, behaviour, diet, breeding, and typical habitats.
What I look like

What I look like

The Black Redstart is recognized by its **slate-grey** color and **rusty red tail**.

The Black Redstart is recognized by its slate-grey color and rusty red tail.

Its head and chest are **black**.

Its head and chest are black.

The upper side and belly are **slate-grey**.

The upper side and belly are slate-grey.

There is a small **white wing patch** (on the wing).

There is a small white wing patch (on the wing).

It is the size of a sparrow.

The female is **grey-brown** but retains the **rusty red tail**.

The female is grey-brown but retains the rusty red tail.

Discover also : Redstart Identification Guide
Want to learn to recognize birds quickly by their shapes and morphology? The Ornitho Mnemolia course guides you step by step. Start the course
My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The song of the Black Redstart is a series of high notes **with a sound like crumpled paper**.

The song of the Black Redstart is a series of high notes with a sound like crumpled paper.

It makes **"tic-tic-tic"** calls that are strident and brief.

It makes "tic-tic-tic" calls that are strident and brief.

The Black Redstart is the **first of the birds to sing** just before dawn.

The Black Redstart is the first of the birds to sing just before dawn.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The Ornitho Mnemolia course trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The Black Redstart is often seen **perched**.

The Black Redstart is often seen perched.

It is sometimes seen hovering over prey it is hunting.

It is sometimes seen hovering over prey it is hunting.

It can be noticed in various **human habitats** (wall holes, beams, roofs).

It can be noticed in various human habitats (wall holes, beams, roofs).

Discover also : Dunnock Identification Guide
Reading a bird's behavior changes everything in the field. The course shows you the key attitudes to recognize. Start the course
How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The breeding season of the Black Redstart extends from April to September.

It produces two broods per year of 5 to 6 white eggs.

Its nest is a **cup of grass and moss** in wall holes and rocks.

Its nest is a cup of grass and moss in wall holes and rocks.

It also nests in open nest boxes.

Discover also : European Pied Flycatcher Identification Guide
Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

The Black Redstart captures and eats **insects**.

The Black Redstart captures and eats insects.

Discover also : Spotted Flycatcher Identification Guide
To find birds more easily, you need to know their feeding habits. The course teaches you where to look and why. Start the course
Where to find me

Where to find me

The Black Redstart lives in **mountainous rocky areas**.

The Black Redstart lives in mountainous rocky areas.

It is also found in **towns and villages**, in wall holes, roofs, beams that replace its original habitat.

It is also found in towns and villages, in wall holes, roofs, beams that replace its original habitat.

It remains present in the **mountains**. It nests up to **2700 meters altitude**.

It remains present in the mountains. It nests up to 2700 meters altitude.

It is a **short-distance migrant**.

It is a short-distance migrant.

Discover also : Common Nightingale Identification Guide
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Black Redstart is identified by its red tail, dark plumage, crackling song, and frequent presence near human structures. Observing both its behaviour and habitat helps confirm identification.