Animal Profiles
Birds

Warbler

Passeriformes

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Warbler is a broad name applied to several songbird groups. This account describes the American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), a small New World warbler with conspicuous wing and tail patches.

Setophaga ruticilla (warbler)

Representative species: Setophaga ruticilla.

Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Temperate forest, Rainforest
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Mostly insects.

Classification

Common name
Warbler
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Passeriformes
Source classification
Aves

Three things to know

  • Tail-flicking can flush insects from foliage.
  • Females show yellow rather than bright orange patches.
  • It migrates between northern and tropical wooded habitats.

Habitat and range

American redstarts breed in much of Canada and the United States, migrating to Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America for winter. Woodland edges, second growth and other wooded habitats are used seasonally.

Appearance and adaptations

Adult males are largely black with orange patches on the sides, wings and tail. Females and young males are greyer and show yellow rather than bright orange patches.

Diet and behaviour

Insects are picked from foliage or caught in flight. Tail-flicking can flush hidden prey. Birds forage actively through branches and shrubs and may defend territories in both breeding and wintering areas.

Sources

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