Black redstart / Hausrotschwanz (Phoenicurus ochruros)

Hausrotschwanz wechselt seinen Ast. 2024-09-11 08:03:06 Fehraltorf Canon EOS R7 200-800mm Shutter speed 10
ISO 4000
Exposure 1/1000

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-04-09 in Luppmen. Most recent observation: 2025-04-13 in Schwändi.

Description

Classification: Genus Phoenicurus (Phoenicurus); Family Old world flycatchers (Muscicapidae)
Look for them in a treetop or the peak of a roof - they like to be heard and don't mind being seen.
Etymology:The English name Redstart intrigued me. According to Wikipedia, it comes from Middle English stert meaning tail, so it's a redtail, which makes sense. As to black, they often look rather gray to me. [Link]
Vocalization:Next part is rather unique, and sounds as if shaking a handful of gravel. The phrase then usually closes with a couple of trills. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-11 - 08-18
Migration in: 02-20 - 04-20
Migration out: 08-29 - 11-15
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=14 cm, wingspan=23-26 cm, weight=13-19 g
Habitats: Settlement

Vocalisation

Song: The song is two parts and unvarying. If it were a pop song, you'd call it ABABAB... The second part starts with a sputtering trill. The RSPB in the UK says 'warble with crackling trills.' Vogelwarte.ch says 'Der gepresst knirschende Gesang setzt meist lange vor Sonnenaufgang ein und ist der Auftakt für das Vogelkonzert.' BirdLife-Zuerich.ch says 'Einziger Sänger morgens um drei in den Häuserschluchten'. Obwohl NABU.de meint, sie singen nicht mehr nach Juli, war ich angenehm überrascht sie in Oktober im Tessin zu hören.
Look for them in a treetop or the peak of a roof - they like to be heard and don't mind being seen.
Song:Other: Einige Arten wie der Hausrotschwanz singen zudem im Herbst, bevor sie in ihr Winterquartier ziehen. Die Männchen legen dann ihre Reviere bereits «provisorisch» fest. [Link]
Am Morgen der erste Sänger: Kurzes dreiteiliges Liedchen, meist von Warte aus gesungen. Mittelstück aus rauen gequetschten Tönen. (als ob kurz die Stimme verloren) [Link]
Song consists of three parts and is distinct if heard well. It opens with some clear notes that may form a trill, which are then followed by a pause. The "gravel-part" does not carry as far as the rest of the song. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: stereotype melodic, slow, Frequency: high (3-9 KHz) Special sounds: churr Singing season: 03-01 - 07-31 Dawn chorus start: 70 minutes before dawn.
Calls: Look for them in a treetop or the peak of a roof - they like to be heard and don't mind being seen.
Calls:„hüid-tze“ das tze deutlich tiefer. [Link]
Alarm call is a chat-like alternation between short, high-pitched "wit" sounds, and series of hard and dry "teck". [Link] 1: XC560014 matches exactly what BirdID describes: 'Alarm call is a chat-like alternation between short, high-pitched "wit" sounds, and series of hard and dry "teck".' The high-pitched call I heard recently was between 5 and 6 KHz, which could help to distinguish between other birds with a deeper voice. The whooping call is sometimes listed as an alarm call.

XC657510 - Black Redstart - Phönicurus ochruros - call.
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Very high notes.
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2: Begging call sputters

XC567747-Black Redstart begging call.
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Call attributes: alarm call Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: 4-5 KHz, Special sounds: whoop, sputter/pebble-clatter.