Redstart Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Redstarts are similar in size to Robins and are summer visitors to the UK. They typically arrive in April to breed and leave in September or early October to fly to their African winter grounds.
Although they are classified as Amber in the UK on the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021), there are an estimated 135,000 pairs that breed here each year.
Redstarts are easily recognised by their bright red tail from which they get their name (start is an old word for tail). Males have grey upperparts, a red breast, a black throat, long, black legs and a long red tail. Females have grey-brown upperparts with buff-white or light orange below. They also have the red tail but the colour tends to be more subdued.
In this article we’ll be looking into the life cycle of the Redstart from nest building through to chick fledging and much more besides. Keep reading for more information.
Table of Contents
How Long Does A Redstart Live?
The average lifespan of a Redstart is around 2 to 5 years. However, some individuals can survive for as long as 8 years according to ring data.
They typically reach sexual maturity at around 1 year of age which is when they start to breed.
How Fast Can A Redstart Fly?
Redstarts are small migratory birds which can fly at speeds of around 15 to 25 mph (24 to 40 km/h) during a sustained flight. During migration, they can sometimes achieve faster speeds, especially if they catch tailwinds.
They are quite agile birds and can often be spotted displaying that agility as they fly through trees in chase of their insect prey.
Are Redstarts Aggressive?
In general terms, Redstarts are not typically aggressive. Outside of the breeding season they form large flocks and all appear to get on peacefully.
During the breeding season however, they become incredibly territorial and display aggressive behaviour towards both male and females of their own species. It is thought that they naturally defend their territories against other males and as females look similar, they act aggressively towards them as well.
The male will also chase the female in an aggressive nature during courtship. He will also use his song to defend his territory and attract a mate.
What Is A Redstart’s Habitat?
Redstarts nest and feed in mature oak woodlands and hedgerows in western parts of the UK. They prefer temperate rainforests and do best in the mild, wet conditions found in coastal woodlands in Wales, the south west of England and Scotland.
They can also be spotted on the edges of woodlands where they nest and are particularly fond of small wooded valleys or “cloughs” as they are known. They like areas with sparse vegetation for both breeding and feeding.
How Long Does It Take For A Redstart To Build A Nest?
It takes anywhere between 3 to 7 days for a Redstart to build a nest. The exact timing depends on a number of factors including the weather conditions, the availability of nesting materials and the amount of disturbance either man-made or from natural predators.
They prefer to nest in cavities like natural tree holes, rock crevices or old Woodpecker holes. If they are available, some Redstarts will use nest boxes.
The nest is built by the female with the male standing guard over his mate and territory. She will make a cup-shaped nest built from twigs, grass and moss which is then lined with soft plant materials, hair, fur and feathers.
Eggs
Once the female is happy with the nest she has constructed, she will lay her eggs. It’s at this point that we move into a crucial stage in the life cycle of the Redstart, as this is where the next generation of Redstarts will begin.
When Do Redstarts Lay Eggs?
Redstarts typically lay their eggs between May and July. The exact timing for egg laying can vary from region to region and is very much dependent on climatic conditions like the temperature and the availability of food.
How Many Eggs Does A Redstart Lay?
Redstarts can lay anywhere between 3 to 9 eggs. A typical clutch of Redstart eggs will contain 5 to 7 eggs and depends on the age and health of the female. Younger, less experienced females are likely to lay less eggs as are those that are not in great health.
Producing eggs can be a very demanding time for the female which is why those in better health and have been fed on high protein food sources are more likely to produce more eggs.
What Do Redstart Eggs Look Like?
Redstart eggs are typically light blue or greenish-blue in colour with no spots or blotches. Each egg is around 19 x 14 mm in size and weighs around 1.9 grams.
Around 6% of that weight is the weight of the shell. This is necessary to protect the growing embryo inside the egg allowing it to reach maturity.
How Long Do Redstart Eggs Take To Hatch?
The eggs are incubated solely by the female until they hatch which is around 13 to 14 days after they were laid.
The male remains local and is on hand to feed the female and protect the nest from any intruders.
Chicks
Once the eggs hatch, we move onto the next stage in the life cycle of the Redstart, the chicks.
How Many Chicks Does A Redstart Have?
The number of chicks a Redstart has should correspond to the number of eggs laid. However, in a recent study, it was found that the hatching rate is around 85% which means that on average, from a clutch of 6 eggs, around 5 chicks should hatch successfully.
When Do Redstart Chicks Open Their Eyes?
Redstart chicks are altricial which means they are naked, helpless and blind when they hatch. They rely on their parents for food, heat regulation and protection.
It’s not until they are around 3 to 5 days old that they open their eyes and begin to see the world around them. This is a crucial time as they can then recognise their parents and siblings and be ready when their parents bring food back to the nest.
When Do Redstart Chicks Fledge?
The young chicks grow and develop at a rapid rate and are typically ready to take their first flight at around 15 to 18 days after hatching. The fledglings still rely on their parents to feed them whilst teaching them where and how to find their own food and pointing out any dangers and would-be predators.
In many cases, the female might start a second brood, leaving the male to feed and take care of the fledglings, which he does for around another 3 weeks. The fledglings then remain in small independent groups and fly away.
SEE ALSO: Ptarmigan Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
The average lifespan of the Redstart is around 2 to 5 years. However, there have been individuals that have survived for as long as 8 years according to ring records.
Redstart eggs are light blue or a greenish-blue colour. They do not have any markings or blemishes and each egg is around 19 x 14 mm in size.
Redstarts are not particularly rare in the UK and can be seen from April to September all across the UK. However, you are most likely to spot Redstarts in the west of England, Wales and parts of Scotland.
