American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.5 inches

• small, insect-eating bird

• Thin, pointed bill

• Feeds very actively (even for a warbler)

• Often fans tail exposing red or yellow patches

Adult male:

• Orange-red sides of breast, wing and tail patches

• Belly and undertail coverts white

• Remainder of plumage black

Female and immature:

• Yellow sides of breast, wing and tail patches

• White underparts

• Olive upperparts with grayer head

• Immature males begin to acquire adult male pattern in second year

Similar species:

The adult male American redstart is instantly recognizable with its black
and red plumage. Females and immatures can be identified by the yellow
patches at the base of the tail. Yellow patches at side of breast and in wing
can be quite reduced in immatures.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4
Length of Incubation: 12 days
Days to Fledge: 9
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Almost exclusively insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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