The Black Redstart is a small robin-sized bird. Its name comes from the plumage of the male, which is grey-black in colour with a red tail.

May be seen in a variety of habitats.

Breeding birds and spring passage migrants arrive between March and May. Autumn passage lasts from September to November, peaking in October. Wintering birds are present between late autumn and early spring.

The few British breeding birds occur mainly in urban areas.

With fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK, the Black Redstart is on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Only seen as a bird of passage in Leicestershire & Rutland.