|
|
|
Useful Links |
Common Redstart | Phoenicurus phoenicurus
The Common Redstart is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Muscicapidae bird family group which includes birds such as Thrushes, Robins, Chats, Old World Flycatchers. The description for the Common Redstart (Latin name Phoenicurus phoenicurus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Phoenicurus phoenicurus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 916 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 945. You will find a picture of the Common Redstart on page 929. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. This bird is known as Eurasian Redstart in the Roberts 6th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Common Redstart between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Common Redstart has a height of 14 cms and weighs around 16 gms. The head is coloured white, grey while the bill is coloured black. The Phoenicurus phoenicurus has a brown coloured throat, black legs and a chestnut coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Phoenicurus phoenicurus has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is white, grey Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are black Throat is brown Back is chestnut Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Common Redstart is usually seen hunting for food within the tree foliage This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Common Redstart is mainly found in light and densely wooded forests, where there are Mopane trees. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Common Redstart is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. |
