Setophaga
ruticilla
(American
Redstart)
Physical
Description:
4 1/2-5 3/4"
(11-15 cm). Adult male is very black except for orange wing and tail patches,
orange sides of breast, and white belly. Female is gray with yellow patches.
Song:
Thin,
high-pitched notes ending in a slur.
Distribution:
Breeds
across portions of Alaska and Canada, south to Oregon, Arizona, Oklahoma, northern
Gulf Coast, and Carolinas. Winters from southern Texas (rarely), south through
Mexico (mainly coastally), and into Central and South America.
and mixed woodlands, second
growth and tall shrubbery, orchards, shade trees, thickets, parks, gardens, and
small groves. During migration and in winter, found in
various forest, woodland, scrub, and thicket habitats.
Diet:
Eats mostly forest tree insects, but will also
eat spiders and some fruits and seeds.
Ecology:
Nests in low, deciduous tree or shrub,
sometimes in deserted nest of other species; nests are commonly parasitized
by Brown-headed Cowbird. Captures prey during aerial sallies; sometimes gleans
or hovers. Solitary in winter. Defends winter territory. density in winter (in Jamaica
study) was 10- 51/10 ha, which was comparable to breeding densities reported
for eastern U.S., but greater than densities reported for other sites in Caribbean
and Mexico (0-17/10 ha).
2-5 eggs (usually 4),
for 12-13 days. Young are tended by both parents, and leave nest at 8-9 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPBX06010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S4 |
| National Rank: | N5B,NZN |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.