Small bird (about 14 cm or 5.5 in) characterized by a dark plumage that covers the entire body, jet black on the face, except for the tail, that is red, and wing bands of lighter colour. The females are more brown, greyish in colour. Very terrestrial habits. It can be usually seen perched, waving its red tail.
Urban and rocky environments
Rupicolous species, typical of warm and sunny rock formations, quarries, rocky slopes and screes. It also occupies urban areas.
Mainly wintering bird in Malaga, although there is a small population that breeds in the province, which it does between April and July with two annual layings consisting of 5 to 6 eggs. It feeds on small insects and their larvae, spiders and, to a lesser extent, seeds and berries.
Frequent and common bird that can be watched practically in all the Great Path.
In winter, in cities and villages in the mountain areas of Malaga, it is the first bird that can be heard at dawn. Perched in fences, chimneys and roofs of the houses it is constantly emitting a characteristic call.
- Altos de Hondonero
- Camino de la Fuenfría
- Costa del Sol Occidental
- El Alcázar - La Maroma
- El Cerro de Santi Petri
- El Chorro (Paraje Natural del Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes)
- El Torcal
- Fuente de los 100 Caños
- Genal and Guadiaro rivers junction
- GR 249. Stage 09. Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto)
- GR 249. Stage 02. Rincón de la Victoria - Vélez-Málaga
- GR 249. Stage 04. Torrox - Nerja
- GR 249. Stage 05. Nerja - Frigiliana
- GR 249. Stage 06. Frigiliana - Cómpeta
- GR 249. Stage 07. Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno
- GR 249. Stage 08. Canillas de Aceituno - Periana
- GR 249. Stage 10. Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto) - Alfarnate
- GR 249. Stage 13. Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- GR 249. Stage 22. Ardales - El Burgo
- GR 249. Stage 24. Ronda - Estación de Benaoján
- GR 249. Stage 25. Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- GR 249. Stage 26. Jimera de Líbar - Benalauría
- GR 249. Stage 29. Casares - Estepona
- GR 249. Stage 30. Estepona - Marbella
- GR 249. Stage 31. Marbella - Ojén
- GR 249. Stage 32. Ojén - Mijas
- GR 249. Stage 34. Benalmádena - Alhaurín de la Torre
- Lagunas de Campillos
- Llanos de Líbar
- Monte de San Antón (Málaga)
- Mouth of the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve
- Quejigales - Puerto de Los Pilones
- Refugio de Juanar
- Ruta de Periana a Alfarnatejo
- Sierra del Padrastro
- Tajos del Fraile, Doña Ana y Gómer
- Valley of the Guadalhorce River
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