Bird of the week: American redstart
About: Stunning warbler with males having black upper parts, white belly and flaming orange flanks, wing bars and tail spots. Females are duller with light gray bellies, head, darker olive wings and yellowish flanks, wing bars and tail spots.
Where to find this bird: Frequently found in flocks with other warblers.
When to find this bird:
early May–early October
Fun fact: American Redstarts and other “new-world redstarts” flash their bright tails when foraging, which researchers believe startles insect prey enabling them to catch them easier.
Other birds around the world use the same feeding tactics, including “old-world redstarts” of Europe, Africa and Asia which are in a completely different family.