The American Redstart is a small songbird native to North America. When identifying this bird, the first thing you’ll notice is its striking color pattern. So what are the colors of the American Redstart? Let’s take a closer look at the plumage of this lively little bird.
Male American Redstart
The male American Redstart has dramatic black, orange, and white plumage. Here is a breakdown of the colors:
- Head, throat, and upper breast are jet black
- Belly and undertail are white
- Tail is mostly black with large orange patches on the sides
- Wings are black with white patches and two distinctive orange patches
So the male has a bold color pattern of black, orange, and white. The orange patches really stand out against the black and white. When foraging in branches, the male will frequently spread its tail and wings, flashing those bright orange patches.
Female American Redstart
The female American Redstart is not as brightly colored as the male. Her plumage is more subdued with these colors:
- Head, throat, and upper parts are gray
- Breast and belly are yellow
- Tail is mostly black with yellow sides
- Wings are blackish with two white wing bars
So the female has more muted shades of gray, yellow, and black. This more camouflaged plumage likely helps protect the nest while incubating eggs. The yellow breast and tail patches are still distinctive on the female.
Immature American Redstart
Immature birds in their first year have plumage patterns similar to the adult female. Young males will begin to acquire black feathers on the head and more orange in the tail and wings as they molt into adult plumage.
Color Variations
There are some regional color variations between the Eastern and Western populations of American Redstarts:
- Western birds have more orange-yellow on tail and wings
- Eastern birds have brighter orange patches
There are also rarely-occurring color morphs:
- Orange morph – Mostly orange plumage
- Yellow morph – Mostly yellow plumage
- White morph – Mostly white plumage
But the typical color pattern described earlier is by far the most common for this species.
Why Such Dramatic Colors?
The bright orange and black plumage of the male American Redstart likely serves multiple purposes:
- Attracts females for breeding
- Signals dominance to other males
- Camouflage while foraging amongst tree branches
The bold contrast makes the orange patches stand out and get noticed. Studies have shown the females prefer males with brighter orange plumage when selecting a mate.
The colors also help the redstart stake out its breeding territory and intimidate rivals. The constant tail-spreading exposes those bright patches and sends a “stay away” message to intruders.
Finally, the black and orange pattern blends in surprisingly well amidst dappled sunlight and leaf shadows in the forest canopy.
Diet
American Redstarts are insect-eating birds. Here are some of their primary prey items:
- Moths
- Butterflies
- Spiders
- Beetles
- Flies
- Bees
- Dragonflies
- Caterpillars
They capture insects while darting quickly between branches. The orange patches startle insects into movement, revealing themselves to the redstart. Small prey are eaten immediately, while larger items may be brought to a perch and beaten before consuming.
Migration
The American Redstart migrates long distances between its breeding and wintering grounds. Here is an overview of its migration:
- Breeds across Canada and the eastern United States
- Winters in Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America
- Migrates through Mexico and Gulf Coast states
- Spring migration is April to May
- Fall migration is August to September
Some key stopover sites used during migration include:
- Florida
- Cape May, New Jersey
- Veracruz, Mexico
American Redstarts often migrate in mixed flocks with other songbirds like warblers, vireos, and tanagers. This long distance migration allows them to take advantage of abundant insects up north each summer.
Breeding
After returning from migration, American Redstarts establish breeding territories in early successional habitats like:
- Open woodlands
- Forest edges
- Swamps
- Overgrown fields
The male displays from prominent perches and chases off rivals. Once paired, the female builds the nest while the male continues defending the territory.
The nest is an open cup made from:
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Bark
- Hair
- Feathers
It is well hidden in a shrub or small tree 5-15 feet above ground. The female lays 3-5 eggs which she incubates for 10-12 days. The chicks hatch helpless but grow quickly, leaving the nest about 10 days after hatching. The parents continue caring for the fledglings and teaching them to forage on their own.
Many redstarts raise two broods per season. After successfully fledging the first brood, the female may build another nest while the male cares for the young from the first brood. Breeding territories are strongly defended since adequate food resources are necessary to raise healthy young.
Habitat
As mentioned above, American Redstarts breed in early successional habitats with a mix of shrubs, small trees, and clearings. Specific breeding sites include:
- Overgrown fields and clearcuts
- Open forests and second growth
- Brushy thickets
- Willow and alder stands
- Swamps and wetlands
- Pine barrens
- Orchards
- Parks and suburban yards
On the wintering grounds, they utilize a wider variety of wooded habitats including:
- Tropical forests
- Mangroves
- Plantations
- Gardens and parks
Access to insects is the key requirement year-round. American Redstarts forage actively along habitat edges, streamsides, and in densely foliaged trees where food is plentiful.
Behavior
The American Redstart is an active, noisy, easily observed warbler. Here are some interesting behavioral notes:
- Almost constantly in motion as it flits between perches
- Active tail pumping and wing spreading displays
- Loud frequent chip calls
- Energetic and aggressive defense of territory
- Readily hawks for insects in mid-air
- Frequently fans tail and raises crest when agitated
The redstart spends much of its time actively foraging for insects while moving quickly through branches. It is a bold and curious bird that thrives around human activity.
Status and Conservation
According to the IUCN Red List, the American Redstart has a large global population estimated between 14-74 million birds. Its numbers increased significantly as forests regrew across eastern North America in the late 1900s. As a result, it is classified as Least Concern and does not face any major widespread threats currently. Some specific issues that impact redstarts include:
- Habitat loss on wintering grounds in tropical regions
- Climate change affecting migration timing and breeding
- Predation from cats and other nonnative predators
- Collisions during migrations
Appropriate habitat management and predator mitigation in breeding and migratory areas can help maintain healthy populations of this colorful little warbler into the future.
Conclusion
The American Redstart’s jet black and bright orange plumage makes this warbler one of the most striking in North America. While the males stand out boldly, the females and young birds have more subdued shades of gray, yellow, and black. These colorful patterns serve multiple purposes from attracting mates and defending territories to camouflaging amidst dappled light. After closely observing the redstart’s blazing orange patches and crisp jet black attire, it’s easy to understand how this little bird got its fiery name.
