Word Study
redstart
CIDE DICTIONARY
redstart, n. [Red + start tail.].
A small, handsome European singing bird (Phoenicurus phoenicurus , formerly Ruticilla phoenicurus ), allied to the nightingale; -- called also redtail , brantail , fireflirt , firetail . The black redstart is Phoenicurus ochruros (formerly Phoenicurus tithys ), and is now rare and protected by law in England. The name is also applied to several other species of Ruticilla and allied genera, native of India. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
redstart, n.
1 any European red-tailed songbird of the genus Phoenicurus.
2 any of various similar American warblers of the family Parulidae.
1 any European red-tailed songbird of the genus Phoenicurus.
2 any of various similar American warblers of the family Parulidae.
Etymology
RED + OE steort tail
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