Birds diurnal

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Meet the 'butterfly' of the forest. With its striking Halloween colors and acrobatic hunting style, the American Redstart brings a flash of high-energy color to any backyard woodland.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm); Wingspan: 6.3–9.1 in (16–23 cm); Weight: 0.2–0.3 oz (6–10 g)

palette

Colors

Adult males are jet black with bright orange patches on wings, tail, and sides; females and immature males (yellowstarts) are gray-olive with yellow patches in the same areas.

visibility

Key Features

Vivid orange or yellow 'flash' patches on wings and tail
Constantly fanning and flicking the tail
Small, flat bill with bristles for catching insects mid-air
Highly energetic, acrobatic flight pattern

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM

calendar_month

Season May through September (North America)

restaurant

Diet Almost exclusively insectivorous, focusing on flies, moths, leafhoppers, and beetles; will occasionally eat berries and seeds during the late summer and fall.

park

Habitat Found in deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly second-growth forests with plenty of shrubs and moist edges near water.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The American Redstart is the high-energy acrobat of the warbler family. Unlike many birds that forage methodically, the redstart uses a 'flush-and-chase' technique. By constantly fanning its brightly patterned tail and drooping its wings, it startles resting insects into flight, then snaps them out of the air with incredible agility. This constant movement makes them look like flickering flames or butterflies moving through the canopy.

While they are primarily solitary during the breeding season and highly territorial, they can be found in mixed-species flocks during migration. They are known for their varied, high-pitched songs that often end with an abrupt wheeze. To the backyard observer, they are fascinating to watch but difficult to track with binoculars because they rarely sit still for more than a few seconds.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing an American Redstart on a backyard camera requires a strategy focused on their foraging habits and water needs. Because these birds spend most of their time in the mid-story of trees rather than on the ground, mounting your camera 5 to 7 feet high is ideal. Aim the lens at horizontal branches near the edge of a wooded area or thicket, as these are the 'launch pads' they use to hawk for insects. Ensure your camera is set to its fastest trigger speed; these birds are lightning-fast, and a slow trigger will result in a frame full of empty leaves.

While American Redstarts won't visit traditional seed feeders, they are absolute magnets for moving water. If you want a clear shot, set up a birdbath with a solar fountain or a dripper. The sound and visual of splashing water are irresistible to migrating warblers. Place your camera on a tripod roughly 3 to 5 feet from the water source, angled to catch the bird as it lands on the rim. Use 'Burst Mode' or high-frame-rate video (60fps) to capture the iconic tail-fanning behavior that happens in the blink of an eye.

Lighting is crucial for bringing out the contrast of their black and orange (or gray and yellow) plumage. Position your camera so the morning sun is behind it, illuminating the bird directly. This helps avoid the silhouette effect common in forest settings. During the peak of spring migration in mid-May, keep your camera active all day, as 'fallouts' after rain can bring dozens of these vibrant birds into a single yard for a few hours of frantic feeding.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with American Redstart.

Painted Redstart

Found mostly in the Southwest; features a bright red belly and white wing patches rather than orange.

Black-and-white Warbler

Lacks the orange patches and behaves more like a nuthatch, creeping up and down tree trunks.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the early morning hours, roughly from sunrise until 10:00 AM, when insect activity is high. You may also see a secondary peak of activity in the late afternoon before dusk.

The best way to attract them is by providing moving water, such as a birdbath with a dripper. Since they don't eat seeds, maintaining a pesticide-free garden with native shrubs like dogwood or serviceberry will provide the insects they need to survive.

They are primarily insectivores. They specialize in catching flies, moths, and beetles mid-air, though they also glean spiders and small caterpillars from the undersides of leaves.

Yes, provided there are plenty of trees and shrubs. They are especially common in suburban backyards during spring and fall migration as they stop to refuel in woodlots and gardens.

Look for the tail-fanning behavior. While other warblers have bright colors, the Redstart is unique in its constant flicking of the tail to show off orange or yellow 'flash' patches.

Record American Redstart at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo