Blackstart Redstart - description, habitat

Redstart refers to a small-sized bird that has a bright tail. Many probably heard a wonderful fairy tale about a bird that brought fire to freezing people, thereby saving them. Today we will consider the individual represented species in all its glory. What it eats, where it is distributed, how it hunts. We will also study external data.

Description

1. In its overall features, this bird is slightly smaller than a house-type sparrow. She is also more elegant and much more beautiful. On the body grows up to 14 cm. With a body weight of 20 g. maximum.
2. The beak is black with a brown tint, in the main part it is wide, gradually tapering to the tip. The beak is covered with small feather bristles. Paws are pigmented in black, shortish.
3. A distinctive characteristic of these birds is the fiery tail, which seems to light up. It is laid out on the nails and is also accompanied by a dark strip located in the middle. The bird constantly moves its tail, which makes its image more mesmerizing.
4. These birds are quite active and noisy. They cannot sit in one place, constantly moving vertically. Hang in the air, thereby becoming similar to hummingbirds.

Habitat

1. Birds are unpretentious in terms of choosing a place to live. They are located where there are no snowy areas to a large extent. They can well exist in arid climatic zones, as well as in humid regions. A large number of individuals are in cities.
2. In their habitat, birds prefer to be among dense thickets, but also found in open places. Rocky areas are preferred as a nesting zone.
3. Birds do not look for the perfect landscape, living quietly where they have to. Secondary biotopes give preference to places where people live. This may be a vineyard, industrial or residential buildings, as well as embankments.
4. If we take into account the average statistics regarding the habitat of these individuals, then in 90% of cases they are always located next to people. Such gullible creations.

Nutrition

1. The basis of nutrition includes food of animal origin. But the birds do not mind eating plant food. They absorb insects in large quantities, lean on seasonal fruits and seeds. They feed on invertebrates, bugs, worms, and many representatives of spiders. They may even eat snails.
2. Birds prey on small animals, the size of which does not exceed 8 mm. However, one can observe the picture when the redstart grabs earthworms and caterpillars, whose body can reach 7 cm. Before eating such food, the birds tear it to pieces.
3. The considered individuals often hunt on the ground, in this case they try to wait for prey. Birds are sitting in an inconspicuous ambush. It can be on a hill. Often in this role are rocks, stones, trees and branches of bushes.
4. As soon as the redstart catches prey, it swiftly dives after it. The bird grabs the victim and immediately takes off. In addition, such birds also hunt in the air. Birds grab flying insects. They prefer butterflies and flies.
5. Often the birds pamper themselves with berries that grow on shrubs. When viewed as a whole, the diet of redstart is quite diverse. They switch from one type of food to another without any problems.

Breeding

1. Such individuals try to build half-open nests in the mountains, cracks, on rocks and stones. As for settlements, the birds are not picky at all.They do not react to odors, noise and anxiety from people.
2. The dwelling looks like a powerful cup-shaped building. At the same time, he has a satisfied deep bottom. As a building material, birds use last year's grass and long stems. The bottom of the nest is lined with lichen, moss, roots and feathers.
3. It is worth noting that both individuals are engaged in the construction of the dwelling. There are usually 2 clutches per season, in rare cases 3. At one time, the female brings about 6 eggs. Vysidka takes a little more than a crescent. The female in this case assumes all responsibility. The male brings food.
4. After the birth of the young, both parents continue to take care of them. They guard the chicks and feed them until they get stronger. After 12 days, the young growth is covered with feathers. Two weeks later they become winged.

Redstart - unique representatives of birds. They have a beautiful appearance and unusual characteristics. Such birds are peculiar. They can take care of their own offspring and build nests. Their diet is diverse, so they have no problems with food.

Video: blackstart redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)