Please can you tell me whether this is a Black Redstart, I was watching it fly up an alley in Sanlis near Chantilly near Paris. Its red tail was prominent as I followed it up the Alley. The plumage seems to me to be more black down the flanks than Red. If it is a Black Redstart, how many pairs would be likely to be breeding in N France if there are only approx 25-75 in Britain
Hi there
Yes, it certainly looks like black redstart. You can clearly see the red on the underside of the tail and the breast is charcoal black. It has a black face with a slightly paler crown. I'm pretty sure it's a male although with the shadow it's difficult to see it clearly. The female is much more of a mouse grey colour. When it flies you should be able to see the flash of red on its tail and rump.
I can't give you any statistics on the population in northern France but it is much more widespread on the continent than it is over here. This link gives you an idea of the European distribution.
http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130095
Hope this helps.
TJ
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Tony
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Hi,
it's a male black redstart - in germany they are known as House redstarts because they are often found around human dwellings.
The breeding range of the Black redstart covers most of France , with highest density apparently in the NE , down the centre, west of the massif central , the Pyrenees and the SE corner towards Marseilles.
S
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