The common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family. Redstarts are known for their bright red tails, which the males in particular display prominently during breeding season. But just how small are these birds? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the size of the common redstart from head to tail.
Average Length and Wingspan
The common redstart is a very petite bird, averaging 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 in) in length from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail. Its wingspan ranges from 20-22 cm (7.9-8.7 in) across.
To put that into perspective, here are some common redstart size comparisons:
Bird | Length (cm) | Wingspan (cm) |
---|---|---|
Common redstart | 12-14 | 20-22 |
Eurasian blue tit | 11-12 | 16-21 |
House sparrow | 14-16 | 24-26 |
European robin | 14-16 | 20-28 |
As you can see, the common redstart is very similar in size to other small common songbirds like tits and sparrows. It’s just a touch smaller than the European robin.
Weight
In addition to its petite measurements, the common redstart is also lightweight. These birds weigh just 8-12 grams (0.28-0.42 oz) on average.
Again, to give some perspective on just how light they are, here’s how the common redstart’s weight compares to other birds:
Bird | Weight (g) |
---|---|
Common redstart | 8-12 |
Eurasian blue tit | 9-12 |
House sparrow | 24-39 |
European robin | 16-22 |
The common redstart weighs about the same as the tiny blue tit, but is less than half the weight of more robust birds like the house sparrow. Its lightweight, compact body is well-adapted to an aerial lifestyle catching insects on the wing.
Male vs Female Size
There is minimal sexual dimorphism between male and female common redstarts when it comes to size.
Males tend to be just ever so slightly larger than females. On average, males measure 13 cm (5.1 in) long with a 21 cm (8.3 in) wingspan, while females are typically 12 cm (4.7 in) long with a 20 cm (7.9 in) wingspan.
The weight difference is negligible, with males weighing around 10-12 g (0.35-0.42 oz) and females 8-11 g (0.28-0.39 oz). As you can see, males are only marginally bigger than females.
The more pronounced difference is in their plumage coloration. Males have the deep orange-red tails that give the species its name, while females have paler brownish-red tails. But when it comes to size, the sexes are very alike.
Parts of a Common Redstart
Now that we’ve looked at the common redstart’s overall size, let’s examine the size of the different parts of its body starting from head to tail.
Head
The common redstart’s head has a rounded shape and is quite small. Their heads measure between 1.5-2 cm (.6-.8 in) long from the base of the bill to the back of the head.
The bird’s eyes are also little, with a diameter of just 0.5 cm (0.2 in). They have a black iris and pupil encircled by a narrow yellow eye ring.
Their slender bills measure approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) long and 0.5 cm (0.2 in) deep. The bill length is less than the diameter of the bird’s eye.
Body and Wings
The common redstart has a slender, streamlined body that aids its agile, aerial movements. Their bodies measure on average 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) long from head to tail.
The wings are long with a pointed shape. Each wing measures about 10 cm (3.9 in) long from shoulder to wingtip. The wings are broad relative to the bird’s petite body size to provide lift and enable nimble maneuvering.
Legs and Feet
Common redstarts have very short legs with long, slim toes. Their legs measure just 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in) long.
The toe length is quite long relative to the legs though, averaging 2-2.5 cm (0.8-1 in). The arrangement of three toes facing forward and one back is adapted for securely perching on branches.
Tail
The most eye-catching part of the common redstart is its long, deeply forked tail. The tail accounts for nearly half the bird’s total length.
The tail measures 5-6.5 cm (2-2.6 in) on average. As the name suggests, the feathers are a vivid reddish-orange color in males. Females also have a distinctly forked tail, though less dramatically colored in shades of brownish-red.
Nestlings and Juveniles
The sizes described so far apply to adult common redstarts. But what about their babies and juveniles?
Common redstart chicks (nestlings) are incredibly tiny when they first hatch. New hatchlings weigh just 2-3 g (0.07-0.11 oz) and their bodies are only about 5 cm (2 in) long, smaller than an adult’s index finger! Their wings and tails are stubby underdeveloped quills at this stage.
The chicks grow rapidly, doubling their hatching weight in just 5 days. They fledge (leave the nest) at 13-15 days old, by which point they’re about two-thirds of adult size but still appear gangly and uncoordinated.
Juveniles reach adult length by 3 weeks old but retain fluffy downy feathers and have shorter tails and wings than adults for some time. Juveniles also lack the bright red tail coloration, having pale brown tails like adult females. The red tail is one of the last adult features to come in as the birds mature.
Flight Abilities
The common redstart’s petite, light body and broad wings provide it with excellent aerial agility. These birds are very active flyers, making them challenging to photograph clearly in flight!
They can beat their wings up to an estimated 5-7 times per second during faster flight. Common redstarts are maneuverable enough to swiftly chase down flying insects, even rapidly changing direction.
These birds migrate long distances, traveling between their European breeding range to sub-Saharan Africa where they overwinter. One study recorded a redstart flying over 300 km (200 miles) in a single 24 hour period during migration. This equates to averaging speeds over 40 km/hr (25 mph).
The common redstart’s small but powerful muscles and aerodynamic shape allow it to migrate thousands of miles between continents seasonally.
Habitat and Range
The common redstart’s modest proportions equip it well for its lifestyle in two very different habitats across a broad geographic range.
During summers, these birds breed across most of Europe and temperate western Asia. They prefer nesting in open, lightly wooded areas such as along forest edges and riverbanks.
Come winter, they migrate to sub-Saharan Africa where they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, parks, and gardens. They migrate an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 km (3,100-5,000 miles) between breeding and overwintering grounds.
The common redstart’s compact size coupled with its aerial adeptness allows it to thrive in varied environments across an expansive range. A larger-bodied species would not be as agile or capable of feeding itself in both dense woodlands and open savannas.
Diet
The common redstart’s diet also provides clues into how its small size suits its lifestyle. These birds eat primarily insects and other small invertebrate prey.
A study analyzing their diets found that over 90% of food items were insects from the following orders:
Prey Item | Percent Composition of Diet |
---|---|
Flies (Diptera) | 25-30% |
Butterflies/Moths (Lepidoptera) | 20-25% |
Beetles (Coleoptera) | 15-20% |
True Bugs (Hemiptera) | 10-15% |
Spiders (Araneae) | 5-10% |
Other insects | 5-10% |
The remaining fraction of their diet is made up of fruit and seeds. But as an insectivorous species, most of what common redstarts eat can fit neatly in their tiny beaks. A larger bird would expend much more energy chasing down adequate amounts of such small food items.
Nest Size
Unsurprisingly given its dainty proportions, the common redstart builds an equally petite nest.
The outer part of the nest averages 6-8 cm (2.4-3.1 in) tall and 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) wide, though the inner cavity where eggs are laid is a bit smaller. For materials, this species typically constructs its nests out of moss, leaves, grass, bark strips, spiderwebs and feathers.
Nests are carefully camouflaged in trees, generally towards the end of upward slanting branches around 2-4 m (6-13 ft) above ground. The diminutive nests help keep eggs and chicks secure but hidden from potential predators.
Common redstarts lay small clutches of just 4-6 eggs per season. The eggs themselves are oval-shaped and only about 2 cm (0.8 in) long. Like the bird itself, the nest and eggs are petite but perfectly sized to suit the species.
Climbing and Perching
Given its small stature, the common redstart does not do any heavy-duty climbing. Instead, these birds nimbly flit through branches and foliage catching insects on the wing.
Their legs and feet, though not made for clinging, are adapted for efficient perching. The three forward-facing toes allow common redstarts to easily grasp and balance on perches.
They frequently fan and flick their tails from open, exposed perches while hunting for passing prey. The redstart’s light frame also enables it to perch on thin, pliable branches that would be too unsteady for larger birds.
Defense
Despite its tiny proportions, the common redstart does have some defensive abilities. Its main strategy is using camouflage and stealth to avoid predator notice.
When threatened, it relies on speed and maneuverability in flight to escape rather than physical strength. But redstarts do aggressively mob potential predators around their nests, repeatedly diving and swooping at much larger intruders.
They also have tough, pointy beaks they can use for jabbing if physically handled. And though minute, their claws are sharp like tiny blades. Overall though, their best defense is discretely avoiding confrontation through vigilance and agility.
Longevity
In the wild, the common redstart lives an average of 2-3 years. The oldest recorded individual was nearly 12 years old.
Their small size and rapid metabolism means redstarts must work hard constantly foraging for food, as they can starve in just a day or two without adequate sustenance. Their small bodies also provide less insulation against frigid temperatures.
But their petite builds also lend them athleticism to expertly chase down insect prey and escape predators. While their lifespans are not remarkably long, redstarts are well adapted for their active lifestyles.
Conclusion
To sum up, the common redstart is one of Europe’s smallest common songbirds, averaging just 12-14 cm long and 8-12 g in weight.
Though tiny, redstarts are feisty and energetic. Key adaptations like compact muscles for rapid wing beats, aerodynamic contours, sharp beaks and talons, forked tails for agile aerial maneuvering, and camouflage all suit the redstart’s active, insectivorous lifestyle.
While diminutive, they thrive across diverse habitats from European forests to African savannas thanks to their petite-yet-mighty design. The next time you see a flash of red dart by, remember just how in proportion the common redstart’s miniscule frame is to its behaviors and range.