Description

The sexual dimorphism in this species is very strong. Its black, orange and white plumage distinguish the adult male, and in flight an orange patch that can be seen at the base of the male's primary and secondary feathers. The female plumage is yellow on grey. During their first breeding season, males have plumage similar to females.

The American Redstart is a summer resident that typically breeds within a variety of moist open portions of deciduous and mixed woodlands and secondary forests that are often located near water.

The American Redstart is conspicuously vocal with high-pitched song phrases that can occur in a variety of song types and patterns, but is commonly represented by "see see see see, tsit tsit tsit tsit, tsee tsee tsee tsee, tsee-bit tsee-bit tsee-bit tsee-bit, tsita tsita tsita tsita, wee-see wee-see wee-see wee-see."

Black-throated Gray Warbler

The American Redstart forages from the ground of the forest floor to the top of the canopy sallying for flying insects, moreso than any other wood warbler, and opportunistically eats small berries and fruit in the summertime. The temperament of this species has been described as tame and inquisitive and the bird will readily respond to pishing and squeaking.
The agonistic behaviour of this species includes diverse vocal displays, aerial "circling" displays and non-aerial displays, which typically involve interactions with Least Flycatchers as they share similar niches.

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