Tuesday 6 September 2022

THE MALE and FEMALE BLACK REDSTART phoenicuras ochruros

The next two photos are rather dark, because they were taken late one afternoon. They are of the male Black redstart eating a worm.









It is a pity that the orange tail in almost all of these shots is hardly visible.






A small section of the orange tail is visible here.



The Female Black redstart. You can clearly see the orange tail here.



Sometimes it is even difficult to see the facial fetchers of the male, because of it's jet black face.



A female Black redstart.














Black redstarts are widespread throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. Their breeding season starts in May and usually ends in June. I have seen very few this year, fewer than in previous years. In the image above you can see one on my balcony. It came to see why other birds were flying to and from my balcony, but it didn't stay long. Photo taken in July of this year.                

36 comments:

MadSnapper said...

they are both beautiful birds and I have not seen or heard of them. I think in this case the female is the prettier which is unusal in birds

Marit said...

Dear Sonjia,

I love your photos! The birds are very beautiful. I have never seen them before. The orange tail is very pretty.

I wish you all the best, and take care!

Mike Attwood said...

Hello Sonjia, nice to see you back in business with a set of excellent shots of the black redstart. A bird I have never seen. Hope you are well. Regards, Mike.

Teresa said...

Te han quedado unas fotografías preciosas, me encantan. Besos.

Cloudia said...

Thank you for introducing me to this new bird!

Irma said...

You have made beautiful pictures of the black redstart.
I haven't seen them in a few years, they come here very rarely.
Greetings Irma

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sonjia,

Your Redstarts are beautiful birds! Lovely series of photos! I hope they are not disappearing for good. Take care, enjoy your day!

Richard Pegler said...

Beautiful photos, Sonjia of a species of bird that I do not see very often, but I sometimes see when I visit the Isles of Scilly and am always thrilled when I do see one. Thank you for these wonderful reminders - I shall keep my fingers crossed for my next IoS visit.

It's great to see you back on Blogger, and in great style! Stay safe - - - - Richard

David M. Gascoigne, said...

On my visits to many parts of Europe I have found this to be a common little bird, Sonjia, and very endearing. I remember well staying at wonderful lodgings near Crgrob, Slovenia, and the first bird I saw every morning when peeking out the window shortly after waking up was a Black Redstart. As you say, it is sometimes difficult to get a good look at the rusty tail. After breakfast, when going out to the car, it was always there to greet us too. Fond memories! Hugs - David

Jenn Jilks said...

You do capture amazing birds in photos!

DeniseinVA said...

Great photos of this pretty bird.

DeniseinVA said...

Great photos of this pretty bird.

Linda said...

Great shots showing their coloration.

Nancy Chan said...

Beautiful shots of the birds. They are beautiful. Have a wonderful day.

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely to see your photographs, what beautiful birds they are.

All the best Jan

Maria Rodrigues said...

Beautiful birds.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos.
Have a great weekend

sami niilola said...

Lovely little bird. It would be nice to see this bird sometime.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sonjia,
Beautiful photos of this lovely little bird. It looks different than our American Redstart. Great sightings and lovely series of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend!

Mae Travels said...

That is a pretty bird. In the US we have the American Restart and the Painted Restart -- but they are not related to your redstart, and not closely to one another. Funny thing with bird names, isn't it?

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Tom said...

...I know so little about birds and this one I know nothing about. You captured them well. Enjoy your new week.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How pretty and nice to get to see the orange in the tail feathers. It's always a challenge to take bird photos...they don't always pose for us for very long!

carol l mckenna said...

Awesome feathered friends photography ~ Xo


Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

A ShutterBug Explores,

aka (A Creative Harbor)

roentare said...

Grogeous birding photos

Yvonne said...

I find your bird photographs so beautiful. It's always a joy to visit your blog. I wanted to let you know that Lacey died yesterday evening, since you were so kind in your comment.

Veronica Lee said...

Such beautiful bird photos! I especially love the pretty orange tail.🧡 🧡 🧡

Happy Sunday, Sonjia!

Jeevan said...

A cute bird! Lovely capture of the black redstarts from various photo opportunities. Have a related week ahead

Phil Slade said...

I wish that Black Redstarts were a little more widespread because up here in Lancaster the species is very scarce. Your set of photos is simply superb in capturing the jizz of Black Redstarts. Great work Sonjia. I'm off to Greece on Wednesday but don't expect to see a " black red".

Anni said...

Oh my goodness!! What treasures you have today. Absolutely beautiful.

Sorry for my late visit. A computer glitch yesterday! Thanks for sharing & linking in.

Andree said...

A beautiful bird. So different from the American Redstart, yet there are similarities, too. Thank you.

Lasse said...

Hi Sonja, Beautiful photos of these lovely bird. The tail is
a beauty !
Best regards Lasse

Nick Morgan said...

Great pictures of a lovely bird. I am sorry you haven't seen so many this year. I hope that they do better with you next year. I read that they are primarily found in large cities in England where they breed. Otherwise they are seen along the coast when they migrate. It is interesting that the cities suit them.

NatureFootstep said...

great shots of beautiful birds. I have seen some in the southern part of Sweden but not where I live.

Bob Bushell said...

Love the Black Redstart, stunning photos Sonjia.

Rainbow Evening said...

beautiful birds... excellent shots

La Biosfera de Lola said...

Hola Sonjia. El Colirrojo es un ave muy abundante aquí. Siempre hacen sus nidos muy cerca de las casas. Preciosas fotos. Besos y abrazos.

LEN said...

Lovely pics.

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