Stonechat Vs Redstart: Key Differences Explained
While stonechats and redstarts are both small insectivorous birds, they can easily be distinguished by their physical appearances, preferred habitats and certain behavioural traits.
In this article we’ll take a closer look at these 2 interesting bird species and show you how to tell them apart. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Redstarts are so called because of their red “start” or tail which distinguish them from stonechats which have orange-red breasts
- Stonechats have black heads with a white collar whilst redstarts have grey-blue backs and heads
- Stonechats prefer open habitats whilst redstarts prefer wooded areas
- The call of the stonechat sounds like 2 stones clinking together
- The call of the redstart has a soft melancholy sound
What Is The Difference Between A Stonechat And A Redstart?
There are several differences between the stonechat and the redstart which can help when trying to differentiate these 2 species especially from a distance. They include;
Visual Differences
Male stonechats have a black head, white collar, orange chest and dark wings with a white patch. Female and juvenile stonechats are typically less colourful with muted brownish tones. You will also notice that the distinctive black head and bright orange chest are missing in females and juveniles as well.
Male redstarts typically have orange-red tails and underparts with dark or grey upperparts and faces. Females and juveniles tend to be more drab and subdued in colour with brownish upperparts and paler orange tails and underparts.
Differences In Habitat
Stonechats prefer open habitats like heathlands, grasslands and scrubby areas. They can often be spotted perched on low posts, fences or shrubs on the lookout for insects.
They also use these perches to mark their territorial boundaries and flick their wings and tails as a warning to other would-be intruders.
Redstarts prefer wooded areas mainly in open deciduous woodlands with a mixture of mature trees and open spaces. Redstarts are often observed flitting from tree to tree and into shrubs.
They flick their tails upwards and make them quiver.
Nests & Eggs
Stonechats are year round residents in the UK with some northern birds moving to southern areas if the winters are too cold. The female builds the nest on her own. She sites it in dense vegetation close to the ground. It is a loose cup shape made from dried grass which is lined with fur, hair and feathers.
Stonechats typically lay a clutch of around 4 to 6 eggs which are pale blue or greenish-blue coloured with reddish-brown freckles that tend to favour the larger end of the egg. The eggs are around 19 x 14 mm in size and are incubated by the female on her own.
She incubates the eggs for around 14 days before they hatch. Then both parents take turns feeding and protecting the chicks. The chicks typically fledge the nest at the age of 12 to 16 days after hatching. The chicks stay with the parents for around 5 to 6 days after they fledge.
Redstarts are summer visitors to the UK and tend to arrive around mid April. They will typically leave at the end of September or early October and winter in Sub-Saharan Africa. The nest is selected by the female after the male has shown her several options.
They nest in cavities either in natural tree hollows, crevices in buildings and walls or they will use nesting boxes. The female fills the cavity with stalks, twigs, leaves, moss and lichen which is then lined with fur, hair and feathers.
Redstarts typically lay around 6 to 7 eggs which are a greenish-blue colour without any spots, freckles or blemishes. They are around 19 x 14 mm in size and are incubated solely by the female. The eggs are incubated for around 13 to 14 days before hatching and the chicks typically fledge the nest around 15 to 18 days after hatching.
Redstarts in the southerly edge of their breeding range sometimes lay a 2nd brood around mid summer.
Bird Calls
Redstarts have a soft melancholy song which consists of phrases that last for 1 to 2 seconds. The calls of the redstart which can vary across their range are a melodious indicator of their presence.
The call of the stonechat is a distinctive sound that gives the impression of 2 stones being hit together. This distinct call can be a good way of identifying these small insectivores even when you can’t see them.
Size & Weight
Although these 2 birds are roughly the same size, redstarts are the slightly larger of the 2.
Redstarts are around 14 cm in length with a wingspan of around 20 to 24 cm and an average weight of between 11 to 19 grams.
Stonechats are around 12.5 cm long with a wingspan of around 18 to 21 cm and a weight of around 13 to 17 grams.
SEE ALSO: Wood Warbler Vs Willow Warbler
Frequently Asked Questions
Redstarts can be found all over the UK but they have a stronger presence in the westerly areas of the UK. Their numbers dwindled in the late 1960s due to adverse conditions in their wintering grounds but have improved steadily since then.
They are called redstarts because they have reddish-orange tails and the old English word for tail is “start”.
There is a bird called a stonechat. They are similar in size to robins and male stonechats have black heads with white collars, orange-red breasts and mottled brown backs.
