What does the American Redstart eat?

The American Redstart's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

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

How it forages

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.

When it feeds

Diurnal.

Explore the American Redstart