Birds diurnal

Painted Redstart

Myioborus pictus

With its bold crimson belly and rhythmic 'wing-flashing' dance, the Painted Redstart is the showstopper of the Southwest's mountain canyons. This energetic warbler brings a splash of tropical color to backyard water features and oak groves.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 5.1–5.9 in (13–15 cm); Wingspan: approx 8.3 in (21 cm); Weight: 0.3–0.4 oz (8–12 g)

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Colors

Glossy jet-black body with a brilliant scarlet-red belly; bold white patches on the wings and outer tail feathers; distinctive white crescent under each eye.

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Key Features

Large bright red patch on the lower breast and belly
Broad white wing bars visible even when perched
Frequent fanning of the tail to show white outer feathers
High-contrast black plumage with white 'half-moon' eye crescents

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

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Season April–August (breeding season in the US); Year-round in Central America

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Diet Primarily insectivorous, focusing on flies, leafhoppers, and small moths; they often use 'flush-pursuit' tactics to scare prey into the open.

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Habitat Oak-pine woodlands, montane canyons, and riparian areas near mountain streams.

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Behavior

The Painted Redstart is a high-energy acrobat of the mountain canyons. Unlike many warblers that skulk in dense foliage, this species is bold and constantly on the move, often seen 'dancing' along branches. They have a unique foraging habit of pivoting their bodies and fanning their tails to flash their white outer feathers, a tactic used to startle insects into flight so they can be snatched mid-air.

Socially, they are fascinating because both sexes are accomplished singers, which is a rarity among North American warblers. While they are territorial during the breeding season, they are generally curious and may approach backyard environments that offer water or dense native oaks. They are most active in the mid-canopy but will frequently descend to ground level to drink or bathe in shallow pools.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Painted Redstart on your backyard camera, focus entirely on water. Because these birds are insectivores and rarely visit seed feeders, a birdbath with a 'wiggler' or a small recirculating fountain is your best bet. Position your camera about 3 to 5 feet away from the water source, ideally at bird-eye level (about 3-4 feet off the ground), looking slightly down into the basin. They are known for their frantic bathing style, so use a high frame rate or 'burst mode' to avoid blurry shots of their rapidly fanning wings.

Placement is crucial: look for shaded areas near oak or pine trees. If you are using a trail camera in a more natural setting, mount it 4 to 6 feet high on a tree trunk overlooking a rocky stream or a moist canyon floor. These birds spend a lot of time 'hitching' along tree trunks and large horizontal limbs like a nuthatch, so angling your camera to cover the interface between a trunk and a large branch can yield spectacular profile shots. Ensure your camera has a fast trigger speed (0.2s or less) because their movements are erratic and lightning-fast.

While seeds won't work, you can sometimes lure them with live mealworms in a shallow dish placed near a water feature, especially during the spring migration. In terms of lighting, avoid direct midday sun which can 'blow out' the white wing patches against the dark black body. Soft, diffused morning light will highlight the glossy sheen of their black feathers and the depth of the red on their belly perfectly. If your camera supports it, set the exposure compensation slightly lower (-0.5 or -1.0) to preserve the detail in those bright white wing bars.

Similar Species

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

American Redstart

Smaller with orange-and-black plumage and a white belly, whereas the Painted Redstart has a bright red belly.

Slate-throated Redstart

Rare in the US; lacks the bold white wing patches of the Painted Redstart and has a more uniform gray back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Painted Redstarts are most active in the early morning, shortly after sunrise, and again in the late afternoon. During these times, they are frantically foraging for insects and are most likely to visit water sources to drink and bathe.

The best way to attract Painted Redstarts is by providing moving water, such as a fountain or a birdbath with a dripper. They are also drawn to native oak and pine trees which host the insects they eat. They do not typically eat birdseed, so focus on habitat and water rather than traditional feeders.

Their diet consists almost entirely of insects and spiders. They are famous for their 'flush-pursuit' foraging, where they fan their wings and tail to scare insects into flight before catching them in mid-air.

They are only common in suburban areas that are located near mountainous or canyon habitats in the Southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona and New Mexico. They prefer yards with plenty of mature trees and water.

The Painted Redstart has a bright red belly and white wing patches, whereas the male American Redstart has orange patches on its wings, tail, and sides with a white belly. Painted Redstarts also have a unique white crescent under the eye.

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