Wood-Warblers

American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla

Family Parulidae (Wood-Warblers)

Size: 5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Open mixed woodlands in early succession

The American redstart is constantly active and frenetic, displaying by fanning its tail and wings while perched. The plumages of males and females are markedly different: The male is jet black above and white below, with a fiery red patch at the side of the breast and a paler, peachy-red wing bar and sides of the tail. The female is gray green above with a slate-gray head and white chin and breast. Its colored areas are located in the same areas as the male but are yellow. Redstarts eat insects gleaned from branches and bark, or hawk for insects. The female (top) and adult male (bottom) are illustrated.