Eastern Black Redstart

  • Eastern Black Redstart (Male breeding plumage)
    Eastern Black Redstart (Male breeding plumage) (Mike Pope)
Eastern Black Redstart (Male breeding plumage)
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides
Arabic Name 
الحميراء الدبساء الشرقية
Kuwaiti name 
حمروش
Family 
Chats - Old World Flycatchers
Length 
15.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 
Common Redstart
Western Black Redstart

In Kuwait

Winter
Migrant
Frequent
Non-breeder

Information

Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. A subspecies probably originating from north-eastern Iran, identified in breeding plumage males only. Other races of Black Redstart may also visit Kuwait.
Where in Kuwait 
Like other Redstarts; its quick ducks of head and body are robin-like, and its tail is often flicked and this is considered diagnostic. It is found in similar habitat to the Western Black Redstart, but care must be taken not to mistake it for Common Redstart.
In the world 
There are five commonly accepted subspecies of the Black Redstart which, apart from occurring in different locations, differ mainly in the upperparts colouration of the adult male. Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides. Occurs from Tian Shan eastwards to Mongolia. Small; adult males have lower breast, belly and flanks deep rufous, pale wing-patch absent, sometimes white forehead. Overall quite similar to a much darker Common Redstart with black chest. Females and juveniles are similar to Common Redstart but have an overall sandier, paler colour and often a distinct buff eye-ring.
Local threats 
Habitat loss and degradation