Common name: Black Redstart
Scientific name: Phoenicurus ochruros
Family: Muscicapidae

Size:
Length: 13–15 cm
Wingspan: 23–26 cm
Weight: 12–20 g

Identification:
A small, slender passerine with a distinctive upright posture and frequent tail flicking. Males are easily recognized by their dark sooty-grey to black plumage, black face, and a bright rust-orange tail that contrasts strongly in flight. Some males show a pale wing panel. Females and juveniles are more subdued, with grey-brown tones and less contrast, but still display the characteristic reddish tail. Often appears alert, frequently perching on exposed rocks, walls, or rooftops.

Habitat:
Open and semi-open environments including rocky slopes, cliffs, urban areas, ruins, farmland, and gardens. In Lebanon, it is commonly associated with mountainous terrain as well as towns and villages, especially during the winter season.

Status in Lebanon:
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Widely distributed across the country during colder months, from coastal areas to mountainous regions.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates such as beetles, flies, ants, and spiders. Occasionally takes small berries or seeds, especially in winter.

Behavior:
Active and restless, often seen flicking its tail and making short flights between low perches. Typically forages on the ground or just above it, picking prey from surfaces. Well adapted to human-altered environments and frequently found around buildings and ruins. Males may sing even in winter, producing a short, scratchy song.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)