© Alan Murphy
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Family: (Parulidae) Wood-Warblers
Preferred Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Seasonal Occurrence: Common in spring and fall. Rarely lingers into winter.
Profile by Glenn Olsen: As spring approaches, birders begin talking of spring migration and the arrival of the various warblers. Of the many warblers that migrate through our area, a common one that does not receive much discussion or attention is the American Redstart.
Like many of our wood warblers, the American Redstart is brightly colored, but the colors and color pattern are so distinctive that it is not easily confused with any other warbler. Perhaps that is why it does not receive much discussion. Although easily identified, this fairly common bird has rare beauty, even for a warbler.
As with most birds, the adult males are the most colorful, having a black head, back, and throat contrasting with a white belly and orange (sometimes yellow) patches in the flight feathers and at the base of the tail. The females are just as beautiful though softer in contrast with a light gray head and bright yellow patches in the flight and tail feathers.
The American Redstart employs several foraging techniques, one of which is quite similar to the "sallying" of flycatchers. The redstart may dart upwards to pluck an insect from mid-air and then appears to float back down on spread wings and tail; the orange patches in the wings and tail flashing like a flame. These sorties for insects can be quite acrobatic and interesting to watch as they forage, most frequently in the low to mid story canopy. Interestingly, the redstart's bill shape and well developed rictal bristles are uncommon for most warblers and is suggestive of a flycatcher.
At other times the redstart will be darting from limb to limb, actively foraging, and the tail will be fanned periodically as if to show off the beautiful orange patches or perhaps to flush insects from hiding. This too is a vivid display of the beauty of this warbler.
Naturally, one of the best times for us to see this species is during spring migration, when many pass through our area en route to breeding grounds in the eastern U.S., parts of north central and northwest U.S. and most of Canada. However, some birds remain to breed in East Texas. Early migrants begin arriving in our area in late March, and migration continues through about mid-May.
© Joanne Kamo
Profile by Sarah Lefoley: It’s a monarch butterfly, it’s a flying jack-o-lantern, no it’s an American Redstart! The mature male American Redstart looks like it’s perpetually dressed for Halloween with its stark black head, breast, back, wings, and tail, and bright orange patches on the flanks, wings, and sides of the tail to contrast the white belly. The females and immature birds are more subdued with gray heads, breasts, backs, wings, and tails, and yellow patches. The patches are thought to startle and help capture prey when redstarts flash their tails and move their wings.
These birds will catch insects in midair, a less common behavior among other warbler species. This behavior is more common among males during breeding season. They will also eat insects off of leaves, twigs, and other surfaces. The American Redstart’s diet consists mainly of insects such as flies, moths, caterpillars, aphids, spiders, and craneflies. They will eat small fruits near the end of summer. During breeding season, redstarts will forage alone, but not too far from their mate.
Males are usually monogamous and will defend the territory around the nest from other males by singing and sometimes flying in small circles. Female redstarts will sometimes chase other females out of their territories. Parent redstarts will divide the work, with each parent caring for half of the chicks.
The American Redstart passes through the Houston Gulf region during migration.
Profile by Charlie Ayers: This week’s Beak of the Week belongs to a bird who is always ready for Halloween, the American Redstart. Adult males of this species are black overall with splashes of orange on the flanks, wings and tail. Females and immature males have gray heads with yellowish-gray backs and yellow patches on the flanks, wings and tails. Both species have white bellies. American Redstart males can sometimes be confused for Baltimore Orioles; when debating between the two, note the larger size of the oriole along with a longer bill and completely orange belly. Redstart females can often be misidentified as Yellow-rumped Warblers; note the lack of the yellow rump patch and streaking on the belly when differentiating between the two.
Similar to many of our east coast warblers, the American Redstart is an insectivore; however, the way they catch their prey is unique. Its orange and black or yellow and gray tail and wings is not just for aesthetics-it also doubles as its greatest asset in foraging. When flitting through the canopy, redstarts will open their tails and droop their wings, displaying these brightly colored patches. This sudden pop of color will startle the unsuspecting leafhopper or beetle, causing them to attempt an escape. This is when the redstart will grab its prey, sometimes out of midair. Redstarts are gifted flycatchers, sometimes competing with Least Flycatchers and Eastern Wood Pewees for foraging locations.
American Redstarts breed throughout much of the eastern U.S. and in pockets of the western U.S. with overwintering grounds in Mexico, the Caribbean and northern South America. They can be found along the Texas Gulf Coast during both spring and fall migration, peaking in late April/early May and in late October/early November. To find one of these striking warblers for yourself, head to locations with large stands of native tree species like live oaks, yaupon hollies and hackberries. Avoid areas heavy with Chinese Privet as these plants are not eaten by native insects and therefore will have very few warblers. Houston Audubon’s Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary and Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary are great places to find these Halloween-themed gems as the habitat is managed for native plants.
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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Bird Guide
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Bird Library
© Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com
© Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com
© Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com
© Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com
