The American redstart is a New World warbler. It is unrelated to the Old World (common) redstart.
Region
North America, Central America, and the Caribbean
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across southern Canada and much of the northeastern and north-central United States in deciduous and mixed forests. Prefers second-growth woods, forest edges, and riparian thickets with dense understory. Winters in the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America, where it uses mangroves, scrub, and regenerating forests. Often found near water and in habitat with abundant shrubs and saplings. Readily occupies human-altered early successional habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The American redstart is a lively New World warbler famous for flashing its brightly colored tail and wing patches to flush insects from foliage. Adult males are striking black with vivid orange patches, while females and immatures are gray-olive with yellow. Its name comes from an Old English word for tail (“start”) and it is unrelated to the Old World redstarts.
Male American redstart
Temperament
energetic and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallying
Social Behavior
During the breeding season, pairs defend territories in shrubby or young forests, building a cup nest low in a sapling or shrub. They are largely monogamous, though extra-pair matings occur, and females handle most incubation. In winter, they often join mixed-species flocks and defend feeding areas. Both seasons they use tail-fanning and wing-flashing to startle prey.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The male’s song is a series of high, sweet, thin notes delivered in short phrases, often accelerating and sometimes ending with an accented note. Calls include sharp chips and soft tsit notes used during foraging and contact.
Plumage
Males are glossy black with bold orange patches on the sides, wings, and tail; females and immatures are gray-olive above with yellow patches and whitish underparts. Feathers are sleek, and the tail is frequently fanned to reveal contrasting color panels. Juveniles resemble females but can show muted tones.
Diet
Primarily eats flying and foliage-dwelling insects such as flies, moths, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and beetles, as well as spiders. It frequently flushes prey by fanning and flashing its tail and wings. During migration and in winter, it supplements its diet with small berries and fruit, especially when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory and understory of deciduous and mixed forests, dense thickets, and along streams. In winter, commonly feeds in mangroves, second-growth woodland, and forest edges. Often hunts from exposed perches with short sallies into the air or to nearby leaves.
