The American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is a small songbird found throughout much of North America. Redstarts are migratory, spending their summers breeding in North America and migrating to Central America and the Caribbean for the winter. Their breeding and wintering ranges, as well as preferred breeding habitat, are key factors in where American Redstarts can be found throughout the year.
Quick Facts About American Redstarts
Here are some quick facts about American Redstarts:
- Scientific Name: Setophaga ruticilla
- Mass: 6–12 g
- Length: 12–13 cm
- Wingspan: 22–26 cm
- Breeding Plumage: Black above with orange patches; white below with black streaks
- Nonbreeding Plumage: Grayish olive above; yellow below with black streaks
- Song: A series of high-pitched whistling notes
- Call: A sharp “chip”
- Nest: Open cup nest in trees; 3-5 eggs
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Breeding Range
American Redstarts breed across much of North America. Their breeding range extends:
- North: Across central Alaska, central Yukon, central Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
- South: Northern Baja California, southern Arizona, New Mexico, northeastern Texas, Louisiana, southern Georgia, and southern South Carolina
- East: Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Magdalen Islands
- West: Central British Columbia, southwestern Alberta, eastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and northwestern Nevada
Within their broad breeding range, American Redstarts occupy open deciduous and mixed forests across much of the United States and Canada during the summer months. They thrive in humid forests with a dense understory.
Preferred Breeding Habitat
During the breeding season, American Redstarts prefer the following habitat types:
- Deciduous forests, especially young stands with dense undergrowth
- Old mixed and coniferous forests with deciduous trees
- Forest edges and openings, such as clearings and burns
- Riparian woodlands along streams and wetlands
- Parks and residential areas with mature trees
Territory size ranges from 0.8-6 acres but averages around 2-3 acres. American Redstarts frequently forage in the midstory and canopy of breeding forests, but nest low in dense shrubs or small saplings 1-15 feet above ground.
Wintering Range
American Redstarts winter in Central America and the Caribbean after migrating south in the fall. Their winter range includes:
- Mexico
- Belize
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- The Bahamas
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Hispaniola
- Puerto Rico
On their wintering grounds, American Redstarts occupy tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests, second growth, forest edges, gardens, and plantations with trees. They are often found in humid lowlands but some winter in highland forests up to 10,000 feet elevation.
Winter Habitat Preferences
American Redstarts frequent the following habitat types during winter:
- Lowland tropical rainforests
- Tropical deciduous forests
- Pine-oak forests
- Riparian forests along streams
- Forest edges and gaps
- Partially open habitats with scattered trees
- Gardens and agricultural areas with tree cover
They actively forage in the understory and mid-heights of tropical forests in winter. American Redstarts often join mixed flocks with other migratory warblers and vireos.
Migration Routes and Stopovers
American Redstarts undertake a long distance migration between their breeding and wintering grounds. They follow flyways across North America to reach their wintering grounds:
- Atlantic Flyway – Along the Atlantic Coast and Appalachian Mountains
- Mississippi Flyway – Along the Mississippi River Valley
- Central Flyway – Between the Rocky Mountains and Mississippi River
Notable stopovers and staging areas during migration include:
- Coastal Massachusetts
- Western Lake Erie Basin
- Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas
- Yucatan Peninsula
American Redstarts migrate at night and forage for insects and fruit during the day at stopover sites. They replenish fat reserves for the next leg of migration. Many challenges like storms, lack of stopover habitat, and predation make migration dangerous for American Redstarts.
Seasonal Variation in Habitat Use
The habitat used by American Redstarts varies over the course of the year as they migrate between breeding and wintering grounds:
Season | Location | Habitat |
---|---|---|
Breeding season | North America | Deciduous and mixed forests with dense understory and openings |
Fall migration | North America | Various habitats during stopovers including parks, backyards, and riparian areas |
Winter season | Central America and Caribbean | Tropical forests, second growth, plantations, gardens |
Spring migration | North America | Various habitats during stopovers including parks, backyards, and riparian areas |
The habitat preferences of American Redstarts shift between breeding and nonbreeding seasons in conjunction with their migratory pattern across the Americas.
Conclusion
In summary, American Redstarts can be found in the following locations and habitats throughout the year:
- Breed in open deciduous and mixed forests across much of Canada and the United States in summer
- Migrate through coastal areas and inland flyways in spring and fall
- Winter in tropical forests and woodlands in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
The migratory nature of the American Redstart leads this species to occupy distinct breeding habitat in northern North America and winter habitat in Central America and the Caribbean. Understanding their geographic range and habitat use throughout the year provides key insights into observing American Redstarts across their annual cycle.