Small passerine, feeds on invertebrates, especially beetles and (in southern Spain at least) ants; also fruit and seeds in winter. Nominate rubecula: W Europe, NW Morocco, Azores, Madeira and W Canary Islands; balcanicus: Balkan Peninsula to W Turkey; witherbyi (or sardus): S Spain, Corsica, Sardinia, NE Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia; melophilus: British Isles and Scandinavia. Prefers habitat with cool shade, moisture, not too dense cover, patches or fringes of open ground. The population is increasing and the status is Least Concern. Most populations partially migratory.