The American Redstart is a small songbird that breeds across much of the United States and Canada. They are migratory, spending their winters in Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. American Redstarts can be found in a variety of habitats during the breeding season, including deciduous and mixed forests, shrublands, and wetlands. Their bright coloration and active foraging habits make them a favorite among birdwatchers. Knowing what states American Redstarts live in during the summer breeding season can help bird enthusiasts locate these beautiful birds.
Quick Answers
The American Redstart breeds in every state east of the Rocky Mountains except for Florida. They can be found as far west as eastern Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. The Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba also have breeding populations. During migration they pass through almost every state.
Some key states where American Redstarts are common summer residents include:
– Maine
– New Hampshire
– Vermont
– Massachusetts
– New York
– Pennsylvania
– Maryland
– Michigan
– Minnesota
– Wisconsin
Range and Habitat
The American Redstart’s breeding range stretches across a large portion of North America. Their northern limit reaches across southern Canada, including southeast Manitoba, southern Quebec, New Brunswick, central Ontario and Nova Scotia.
In the United States, American Redstarts breed in suitable habitat in every state east of the Rocky Mountains, with the exception of Florida. Their range extends west to eastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, northcentral Colorado and northern New Mexico.
They are absent as breeders from the drier interior regions of the western U.S., as well as much of the southeastern coastal plain. However, they can be found in all of these areas during migration.
American Redstarts occupy a variety of habitats during the breeding season, including:
– Deciduous forests
– Mixed forests
– Riverine woodlands
– Swamps
– Shrublands
They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and a canopy layer for foraging and nesting. Edges between forest and open areas also provide good habitat.
Northeastern States
In the northeastern United States, American Redstarts are common summer residents of deciduous forests across New England, as well as in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania:
State | Breeding Habitat |
Maine | Northern hardwood and mixed forests |
New Hampshire | Northern hardwood and mixed forests |
Vermont | Northern hardwood and mixed forests |
Massachusetts | Deciduous forests across state |
Rhode Island | Deciduous forests |
Connecticut | Deciduous forests |
New York | Deciduous forests, especially Adirondacks and Catskills |
Pennsylvania | Forested areas in northern and central regions |
They are less common at lower elevations in southeastern New York, Long Island and southern New England.
Mid-Atlantic and Midwest
American Redstarts breed commonly in forested areas from northern New Jersey to Minnesota:
State | Breeding Habitat |
New Jersey | Deciduous forests in north and along Appalachians |
Maryland | Deciduous forests across state |
Delaware | Woodlands |
Ohio | Deciduous forests statewide |
Indiana | Deciduous forests statewide |
Illinois | Deciduous forests statewide |
Michigan | Deciduous forests statewide |
Wisconsin | Deciduous and mixed forests statewide |
Minnesota | Deciduous and mixed forests statewide |
They occupy habitats including northern hardwood forests, oak-hickory forests, riparian areas and wooded wetlands. Highest densities occur in areas with extensive understory vegetation.
Appalachian Region
The Appalachian Mountains and foothills harbor good populations of breeding American Redstarts:
State | Breeding Habitat |
New York | Deciduous forests in Catskills and Adirondacks |
Pennsylvania | Forested areas statewide |
Maryland | Deciduous forests across state |
Virginia | Higher elevation deciduous forests |
West Virginia | Deciduous forests statewide |
Kentucky | Eastern deciduous forests |
Tennessee | Eastern deciduous forests |
Georgia | North Georgia mountains |
Alabama | Northern third of state |
Mature deciduous forests with dense understory growth provide optimum habitat.
Southern and Central Plains
American Redstarts breed uncommonly across the southern and central Great Plains:
State | Breeding Habitat |
Oklahoma | Eastern woodlands |
Texas | Eastern forests |
Missouri | Ozark forests |
Arkansas | Ozark and Ouachita Mountains |
Louisiana | Northern forests |
Iowa | Woodlands along Mississippi River |
Kansas | Riparian woodlands |
Nebraska | Riparian woodlands |
In these regions they are mostly confined to riparian areas, upland deciduous forests and wooded wetlands.
Western States
Along the western edge of their range, American Redstarts breed uncommonly in mountain forests:
State | Breeding Habitat |
Montana | Mountain forests in western part of state |
Wyoming | Mountain forests in north and east |
Colorado | Mountain forests statewide |
New Mexico | Riparian woodlands in north |
Suitable habitats include aspen groves, Douglas fir forests and riparian willow thickets.
Breeding Season Distribution
During the breeding season, American Redstarts are widely distributed across the eastern two thirds of the United States and southeast Canada.
They are abundant breeders across New England, New York, Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes states. Further south, they breed at higher elevations in the Appalachians and are local in the southeastern coastal plain.
West of the Mississippi River, breeding distributions are discontinuous, confined to river bottoms, upland deciduous forests and western mountain ranges.
The core of their breeding range centers on the northern hardwood and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.
Wintering Range
The winter range of the American Redstart includes:
– Mexico
– Central America
– The Caribbean
– Northern South America
Most winter from Mexico south through Panama, while smaller numbers reach northern Colombia and Venezuela.
Preferred wintering habitats include shade coffee plantations, mangroves, forest edges, and second growth woodlands.
While they breed across the eastern half of the U.S., American Redstarts are absent from most of the southern U.S. in winter. Only small numbers winter in south Florida.
Birders in most southern states are more likely to see them during spring or fall migration than in winter.
Habits and Identification
The American Redstart is distinguished by its colorful black, orange and white plumage. The males are unmistakable with orange patches on their wings, tails and sides. Females are grayer but show the same orange accents.
Redstarts are active, agile birds often seen flitting around in search of insects. They frequently fan and flare their colorful tails. Their common name refers to the orange-red patch on the tail that looks like a glowing ember when fanned open.
Theirconstant motion and flashing patterns make them easy to pick out. They forage for insects in mid-levels of woodland canopies but will come lower in shrubs and trees.
Listen for their musical rolling song, which speeds up near the end. It’s a common summer sound in woodlands across eastern North America.
Insect-like chip notes are given as they hunt through foliage. Both males and females sing, with males having a more complex song.
Conservation Status
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), American Redstart populations remained stable between 1966 and 2015.
Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 28 million, with 99% spending some part of the year in the U.S. They rate this species as a common continental breeder with a low vulnerability to population decline.
American Redstarts are protected in the U.S. and Canada under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They face potential threats from habitat loss on their wintering grounds and collison mortality from man-made structures during migration. Overall their populations appear secure given their adaptability to a range of forest habitats.
Conclusion
The American Redstart stands out both visually and audibly as a characteristic breeding bird across eastern North American forests. Their flashy black and orange plumage and energetic habits make them a favorite among birders.
Though widespread, their populations centers on the northern hardwood and mixed forests of northeastern and north-central U.S. states and southeast Canada. They breed across a wide geographic area from Nova Scotia to Montana, and south to Georgia and Texas.
While occupying diverse deciduous and mixed woodland habitats, highest densities occur in mature forest with dense understory growth. This graceful and colorful warbler brings animation and beauty to the woods each summer.