Redstart

Lifespan

5–8 years in the wild

Size & Weight

14 cm, wingspan 20–24 cm; 12–20 g

Habitat

Open woodlands, heathland, parks and gardens with scattered trees, typically favouring areas with dead wood and suitable nest cavities.

UK Distribution

Summer breeding visitor to England, Wales and southern Scotland, arriving April–May and departing August–September; rare in winter.

Diet

Primarily insects and invertebrates, including flies, beetles, spiders and caterpillars; occasionally takes berries and soft fruits in autumn.

Prey

Insects and spiders (Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera larvae, Araneae)

Predators

Sparrowhawks, Eurasian Jays, domestic cats, and corvids; eggs and chicks vulnerable to weasels and woodpeckers

Mating Season

April to July

Breeding

Clutch of 4–6 eggs, incubation period 12–13 days, fledging 12–13 days; typically one brood per year, occasionally two.

Behaviour

Things With Wings