Setophaga ruticilla
male
The American Redstart is a well-marked and distinctive wood warbler. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have a black head, neck, chest, and upperparts, with orange patches on the wings and base of the tail. There is orange on the sides of breast, and the underparts are otherwise white. Adult females have gray-green upperparts and grayish-white underparts, with orange elements of the male’s plumage replaced by yellow. Immatures are similar to an adult female, although the intensity and tone of the orange/yellow color varies. In their first year of life, birds in spring retain many immature plumage characters.
The American Redstart is present as a breeding species across much of central and eastern North America mainly from May to August. It spends the rest of the year in Central and South America. It feeds in an active manner, foraging for insects and fanning its tail as it goes, revealing the colorful patches at the base of the tail.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.25 in (13.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Wide range of wooded habitats, including gardens
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor
VOICE Song is variable but often a whistled see-see-see-see-shweah. Call is a shrill chip
