American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla
Migrateur

Description

The Flamboyant Warbler (*Setophaga ruticilla*) is a lively, elegant little passerine, often dubbed the «butterfly of the bird world» for its boundless energy and contrasting colors. Adult males sport spectacular jet-black plumage, enhanced by bright orange spots on wings, flanks and tail, while females and immatures are olive-gray with more discreet yellow markings. Its most fascinating characteristic lies in its unique hunting behavior: it abruptly unfurls its fan-shaped tail and flaps its wings to scare off insects hidden in the foliage, before capturing them in mid-air with acrobatic agility. A true jewel of North America's forests, this migratory bird's graphic silhouette and dynamic lifestyle instantly captivate any nature observer.

Caractéristiques physiques principales

Black plumage contrasting with bright orange spots on the wings, flanks and tail of adult males

Habitat & Distribution

Open deciduous forests, secondary woodlands and forest edges

Range: Nests in Canada and the United States; winters in Central America, the West Indies and northern South America.

Reproduction et comportement

Cup-shaped nest in the fork of a tree or shrub