Common Redstart vs Daurian Redstart

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Also known as: Redstart

How to recognise a common redstart?

General appearance

The common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is a small bird adorned with distinct, vibrant coloring. It has an overall slate grey upper body, chestnut underparts, and a brilliant red tail that habitually quivers when perched. Its wings are black with white patches that help in identification during flight.

Male vs female

Males possess a distinct black face that extends down to the upper breast and encircles the white forehead. In contrast, females lack the slate grey and black coloring, featuring a light brown color above and dirty white below. Females also have a rusty-red tail, though not as vivid as the male's.

Juvenile

Juveniles largely mirror the appearance of the female but carry a more patchy and mottled aspect to their feathers. Flushed with earthy browns and faint hints of red, they gain their adult plumage after about six months post-fledging. Throughout autumn, they undergo a complete molt, adopting the familiar adult color scheme for their respective sexes.

Size

5.1 - 5.7 in/0.4 - 0.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The common redstart typically inhabits open mature deciduous woodland, parks, and gardens.

Additional range

Its range extends across most parts of Europe and western Asia. It prefers temperate climates but can also thrive in the cold taiga biome.

Range Map

What do common redstarts like to eat?

Natural diet

The common redstart primarily feeds on a variety of insects and other invertebrates, including caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. They also consume berries and fruits, such as elderberries and rowan berries, especially during the autumn months when insect availability is low. Their diet is highly dependent on the season and habitat, adapting to local food sources.

Bird feeders

While they are not frequent visitors to bird feeders, common redstarts may occasionally be attracted to them. They can be enticed with offerings such as mealworms, suet, and small pieces of fruit. However, their preference for natural foraging typically means they are less reliant on feeder food compared to other garden birds.

What does a common redstart sound like?

The common redstart's vocalizations comprise short calls and longer songs. Calls include sharp, clear "tic" sounds, often repeated, and a softer "hu-it". Their song is melodious yet simple, with a "whit-whit-whit-weet-weet-weet-trrrrr" pattern. Some individuals improvise, producing more complex creations. Its alarm call is sharp, resembling a snapping sound. Both the male and female common redstart vocalize, although the female's song is typically less developed than the male's.

Song

Audio by Oona Räisänen (Mysid)

Song

Audio by Bram Piot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

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Daurian Redstart

Phoenicurus auroreus

How to recognise a Daurian redstart?

General appearance

The Daurian redstart is a small bird with striking coloration. It features a prominent white wing patch, a white belly, and a black face and throat. It has an orange-red tail, rump, and flanks, with a light grey crown and nape. The Daurian redstart can be seen in open habitats with trees or shrubs and often perches openly, making it relatively easy to identify in the wild.

Male vs female

Male and female Daurian redstarts are sexually dimorphic, meaning they exhibit different physical appearances. Males have a distinctive black face, throat, and upper breast, and a bright orange-rust colored flanks, lower breast, and tail. Females, on the other hand, feature a softer color palette, with predominantly grey-brown plumage, an orange under-tail, and an off-white belly.

Juvenile

Juvenile Daurian redstarts resemble adult females in coloration, but they are usually duller and browner. Over time, they grow into their distinctive adult plumage. Juveniles can be identified by a muted, scaly pattern on their feathers.

Size

5.5 - 5.9 in/0.4 - 0.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Daurian redstart mainly inhabits open woodlands, forests' edges, and cultivated lands in East Asia, including China, Korea, and eastern Mongolia.

Additional range

Apart from its usual habitat, Daurian redstarts can be found in urban parks and gardens. They prefer temperate climates and migrate to Southeast Asia during winter.

Range Map

What do Daurian redstarts like to eat?

Natural diet

The Daurian redstart primarily feeds on a variety of insects, which form the bulk of its diet. These include beetles, flies, caterpillars, and other small arthropods. It also consumes spiders and may occasionally eat other small invertebrates. During autumn and winter, when insect activity decreases, the redstart supplements its diet with berries and small fruits.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the Daurian redstart is known to eat mealworms and suet. It may also sample sunflower seeds or other small seeds if available. Though not frequent visitors to feeders, they may occasionally consume small pieces of fruit or peck at soft fruits provided in feeding areas.

What does a Daurian redstart sound like?

The Daurian redstart, a small passerine bird, produces a range of vocalizations. Its song is a melodious, complex series of clear whistles, chirps, and trills, particularly high-pitched at the beginning. Its call, typically uttered in flight, is a sharp, metallic 'tsink' or 'tsit', often repeated. Some of its calls can sound like a metallic or electric 'tzeet' or 'tzit'. Overall, the Daurian redstart's vocalizations are distinctive and beautiful.

Call

Audio by Stanislas Wroza

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Stanislas Wroza

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Stanislas Wroza

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Daurian Redstart

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Common Redstart

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Daurian Redstart

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Also known as: Redstart

General appearance

The common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is a small bird adorned with distinct, vibrant coloring. It has an overall slate grey upper body, chestnut underparts, and a brilliant red tail that habitually quivers when perched. Its wings are black with white patches that help in identification during flight.

Male vs female

Males possess a distinct black face that extends down to the upper breast and encircles the white forehead. In contrast, females lack the slate grey and black coloring, featuring a light brown color above and dirty white below. Females also have a rusty-red tail, though not as vivid as the male's.

Juvenile

Juveniles largely mirror the appearance of the female but carry a more patchy and mottled aspect to their feathers. Flushed with earthy browns and faint hints of red, they gain their adult plumage after about six months post-fledging. Throughout autumn, they undergo a complete molt, adopting the familiar adult color scheme for their respective sexes.

Size

5.1 - 5.7 in/0.4 - 0.8 oz

There's more to learn about Common Redstart

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Daurian Redstart

Phoenicurus auroreus

General appearance

The Daurian redstart is a small bird with striking coloration. It features a prominent white wing patch, a white belly, and a black face and throat. It has an orange-red tail, rump, and flanks, with a light grey crown and nape. The Daurian redstart can be seen in open habitats with trees or shrubs and often perches openly, making it relatively easy to identify in the wild.

Male vs female

Male and female Daurian redstarts are sexually dimorphic, meaning they exhibit different physical appearances. Males have a distinctive black face, throat, and upper breast, and a bright orange-rust colored flanks, lower breast, and tail. Females, on the other hand, feature a softer color palette, with predominantly grey-brown plumage, an orange under-tail, and an off-white belly.

Juvenile

Juvenile Daurian redstarts resemble adult females in coloration, but they are usually duller and browner. Over time, they grow into their distinctive adult plumage. Juveniles can be identified by a muted, scaly pattern on their feathers.

Size

5.5 - 5.9 in/0.4 - 0.7 oz

There's more to learn about Daurian Redstart

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How to tell the Common Redstart from the Daurian Redstart

Visual differences

The Common Redstart (5-5.7 in, 0.4-0.8 oz) has a slate grey upper body, chestnut underparts, and a vivid red tail. Males feature a black face, whereas females are light brown with a rusty-red tail. The Daurian Redstart (5.5-5.9 in, 0.4-0.7 oz) displays a black face and throat, bright orange-red tail, and flanks. Males have a grey head with a white wing patch, while females are predominantly grey-brown with an off-white belly. The Daurian's white wing patch and distinct coloration help differentiate it from the Common Redstart.

Key differences and behavior

The Common Redstart and Daurian Redstart exhibit distinct behavioral characteristics. Common Redstarts are cautious and may abandon nests if they detect cuckoos, whereas Daurian Redstarts are trusting, sometimes dubbed "stupid" in Japan. Both engage in elaborate courtship displays, but while Common Redstarts prefer mature deciduous woodlands across Europe and western Asia, Daurian Redstarts inhabit East Asian open woodlands and urban gardens. Nesting in tree cavities or ledges is shared, though Daurian Redstarts are also seen on building eaves. Both primarily eat insects but will consume berries when insect availability decreases. Occasionally, both visit feeders for mealworms and suet. Daurian Redstarts are more urban-adapted than Common Redstarts, showcasing slightly larger size at 5.5 to 5.9 inches compared to 5.1 to 5.7 inches and weight from 0.4 to 0.7 ounces for both.

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Common Redstart or Daurian Redstart?

Common Redstart

How to recognise a common redstart?

Habitat

What do common redstarts like to eat?

What does a common redstart sound like?

Song

Song

There's more to learn about Common Redstart

Daurian Redstart

How to recognise a Daurian redstart?

Habitat

What do Daurian redstarts like to eat?

What does a Daurian redstart sound like?

Call

Call

Song

There's more to learn about Daurian Redstart

Common Redstart

There's more to learn about Common Redstart

Daurian Redstart

There's more to learn about Daurian Redstart

How to tell the Common Redstart from the Daurian Redstart

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Common Redstart vs Black Redstart

Common Redstart

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Daurian Redstart vs Black Redstart

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Common Redstart

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Daurian Redstart

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