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American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
FIELD MARKS
The male American Redstart is mainly black in colour. He has prominent orange
tail feathers and orange patches at the base of his wings and the sides
of his breast and a white belly. The female is mainly greyish-olive in colour.
She has the same coloured patches as the male, but they are yellow rather
than orange. The American Redstart often fans its tail showing the orange
or yellow patches. Approximate length: 12 cm
FOOD
The redstart often feeds more like a flycatcher than a warbler, roosting
on perches and darting out to catch flying insects.
HABITAT
This warbler prefers open, second-growth stands in deciduous or mixed woodland.
It can also be found around tree-lined streams and rivers.
NESTING
Nests are usually built in forks of deciduous trees. They are made with
plant fibres, grass, lichen and bark and lined with feathers. The American
Redstart sometimes use old nests of other birds. The female lays 2-5 cream
coloured eggs with brown or grey marks.
STATUS
Common and widespread although numbers may be declining. |
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