American Redstart

About

The American Redstart is a small, active New World warbler known for its striking black and orange (male) or yellow and gray (female) plumage and its distinctive foraging behavior, fanning its tail to flush insects. It is a highly migratory species, breeding across much of North America and wintering in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Size & lifespan

Length

11-13 cm (4.3-5.1 in)

Wingspan

16-20 cm (6.3-7.9 in)

Weight

7-9 g (0.25-0.32 oz)

Lifespan

Typically 3-5 years in the wild, with a maximum recorded lifespan of over 10 years.

Diet

Insectivore, primarily consuming small insects and spiders, occasionally supplementing with berries during migration and winter.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult males are unmistakable with glossy black plumage, bright orange patches on the sides of the breast, wings, and tail. The belly is white. Adult females and immature males (second-year males) have gray heads, olive-green backs, white underparts, and yellow patches on the sides of the breast, wings, and tail. Immature females are duller overall.

Beak shape

Small, slender, pointed, and dark gray to black.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dark gray to black.

Distinguishing features

The most distinctive features are the bright orange (male) or yellow (female/immature) patches on the wings and tail, which are prominently displayed during foraging. Their active, fanning tail behavior is also a key identifier.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally duller, with more brownish-gray tones and less vibrant yellow patches. First-year males can be particularly variable, showing a mix of female-like plumage with developing black and orange patches.

Seasonal changes

Plumage remains largely consistent between breeding and non-breeding seasons for adult males and females. However, first-year males may undergo a partial preformative molt that brings them closer to adult male plumage, though they often retain some female-like characteristics through their first breeding season.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males are black and orange, while females are gray, olive-green, and yellow. Second-year males often resemble females but may show some black feathering or brighter orange patches.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage (Adult Male)

   Look for a glossy black body with vivid, fiery orange patches on the sides of the breast, at the base of the primary feathers on the wings, and on the outer tail feathers. The belly is white.

2. 2

   Plumage (Female/Immature)

   Observe a gray head, olive-green back, white underparts, and bright yellow patches on the sides of the breast, wings, and outer tail feathers. Immature males may show a mix of black and orange with female-like gray/olive.

3. 3

   Foraging Behavior

   Watch for its characteristic active foraging style: constantly flitting through foliage, sallying out to catch insects, and frequently fanning its tail and drooping its wings to flash its bright patches.

4. 4

   Size and Shape

   Note its small size (typical warbler size) and slender build. The tail is relatively long for a warbler.

5. 5

   Song

   Listen for its high-pitched, clear, whistled song, often ending with an emphatic, slightly buzzy note (e.g., 'swee swee swee SWEE-tsi').

6. 6

   Call

   Listen for a sharp 'chip' note, especially when agitated or during foraging.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, forest edges, riparian zones, and shrubby clearings.

Geographic range

Breeds across southern Canada and the eastern and north-central United States. Winters from southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, as well as the Caribbean islands.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), though occasionally higher in some parts of its wintering range.

Preferred environments

Prefers areas with dense understory and a mix of deciduous trees, often near water. During migration, they can be found in a wider variety of wooded habitats, including suburban parks and gardens.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Highly active and acrobatic insectivore. They primarily forage by gleaning insects from foliage, but are particularly known for their 'flycatching' behavior, sallying out from perches to catch insects in mid-air. They frequently fan their tail and droop their wings, flashing their bright patches, which is thought to startle insects into flight, making them easier to catch.

Social behavior

Solitary or in pairs during the breeding season. During migration and on wintering grounds, they may join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Flight pattern

Undulating flight during migration. Short, erratic flights between branches during foraging, often accompanied by wing and tail fanning.

Migration pattern

Long-distance Neotropical migrant. They migrate individually or in small groups, primarily at night. Spring migration occurs from April to May, and fall migration from August to October.

Territoriality

Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, defending their territories with songs and aggressive displays. Both sexes defend individual foraging territories on their wintering grounds.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

May to July.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built by the female, usually in the fork of a small tree or shrub, 1-10 meters (3-33 feet) above the ground. The nest is a compact, cup-shaped structure made of plant fibers, bark strips, grasses, and spider silk, often camouflaged with lichens.

Clutch size

3-5 eggs, typically 4.

Egg description

3-5 eggs, typically whitish or creamy, speckled with reddish-brown or purplish spots, especially at the larger end. Approximately 1.6 x 1.2 cm (0.6 x 0.5 in).

Incubation period

10-13 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

7-9 days after hatching, the young leave the nest.

Parental care

Both parents feed the nestlings and fledglings, though the female does most of the incubation. Males may feed the young from the first brood while the female starts a second clutch.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look for Movement. American Redstarts are rarely still. Their constant flitting and tail-fanning behavior makes them conspicuous even in dense foliage. Focus on areas with active insect life.
2. Listen for Song. Learn their distinctive song. Males sing frequently during the breeding season, which is often the easiest way to locate them before seeing them.
3. Scan Mid-Story to Canopy. They typically forage in the middle to upper layers of trees and shrubs, so direct your gaze upwards. Binoculars are essential.
4. Visit During Migration. During spring and fall migration, they can be found in a wider variety of habitats and may be more concentrated, offering excellent viewing opportunities.

Similar species

Quick facts

Status:

Common and widespread

Diet:

Insects, spiders, some berries

Habitat:

Deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges

Migration:

Long-distance Neotropical migrant

Distinguishing Feature:

Bright orange/yellow wing and tail patches, active tail-fanning behavior

Fun facts

• The American Redstart's scientific name, 'ruticilla', means 'red tail', referring to the prominent orange or yellow tail patches.
• They are one of the most active warblers, rarely sitting still for more than a few seconds, constantly on the move to catch insects.
• Males often have multiple song types, which they may use in different contexts, such as attracting mates versus defending territory.
• Second-year males, which resemble females, are sometimes referred to as 'subadult' males. They can successfully breed, often with older females.
• Their tail-fanning behavior is believed to startle hidden insects, making them easier to spot and capture, a unique foraging strategy among warblers.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Parulidae

Genus

Setophaga

Species

Setophaga ruticilla

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