American Redstart

American Redstarts have been present at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin for the last couple of weeks. The American Redstart is a warbler species that some birders are not aware of. One of the most active warblers, it always amazes me how they fly so fast through the trees and brush in 2’s never hitting a thing! I have put together a few images of both the males and females. Images were taken May 13-18, 2014.

 

American Redstart - Male

American Redstart – Male

American Redstart

Binomial name: Setophaga ruticilla

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.25” long, 7.75” wingspan

Weight: 0.29 oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat, deciduous, second growth woodlands with moisture. Habitat can include alder and willow thickets, shrubs, treefall areas situated with old growth forests. They will also use thickets in orchards in fencerows. Breeding range is eastern US, northern parts of the west, well into Canada, winters in parts of Central and South America.

Diet: Insects by flushing by fanning their tail and flashing their wings. They do this from the ground to near the top of the canopy catching insects off limbs, leaves and branches. In fall they may eat berries or fruit that are small.

Nesting: The male shows the female possible nest sites during early courtship and the female tests them out and finally settles on one. It is located on a main trunk of a tree or shrub in a camouflaged location. The female builds her own nest in 3-7 days. The nest is constructed of tightly woven bark strips, feathers, animal and milkweed hairs, lichens, twigs, pine needles, rootlets, leaves and sometimes wasp nest paper material. It is cup shaped 2”-3” wide, 2”-1.5” deep. Typically 2-5 eggs are laid and incubated for 10-13 days by the female.

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart - Male

American Redstart – Male

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – 1st year male, note black on front of breast.

American Redstart - Female, at takeoff!

American Redstart – Female, at takeoff!

American Redstart - Male

American Redstart – Male

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – Female

American Redstart - Male

American Redstart – Male, calling!

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – 1st year male, note black dots on front of breast.

American Redstart - Female

American Redstart – Female

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

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