#Setophaga ruticilla

[haveyouseenthisanimal-irl]

[na-bird-of-the-day]

BOTD: American Redstart

Photo: Doug Greenberg

"Warblers in general are often called 'the butterflies of the bird world,' but the Redstart may live up to that nickname more than any other species. This beautiful warbler flits about very actively in the trees, usually holding its wings and tail partly spread, as if to show off their patches of color. At times it feeds more like a flycatcher than a typical warbler, hovering among the foliage and often flying out to grab insects in mid-air."

- Audubon Field Guide

[birdblues]

American Redstart

[atamagaitai]

american redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) by Judd Patterson

[proton-wobbler]

Genus: Setophaga

Originally, this genus was only used for the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). Meaning 'moth-eater', it was used to refer to the flycatcher-like habits of the American Restart, which sallies forth from a perch to catch flying insects rather than plucking them from vegetation.

In 2010, however, a newly published paper disrupted what was thought of Parulidae taxonomy. Using a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of the family, several genus were merged into Setophaga. Not only that, but a separate genus of warbler was cleaved in two based on the findings.

The Hooded Warbler was previously listed under the genus Wilsonia along with Wilson's Warbler and Canada Warbler. They had even been in an obsolete genus together before this (Sylvania), though this was changed to Wilsonia for other reasons. The 2010 study showed that Wilsonia was polyphyletic, meaning the group may share similar traits, but do not share a common ancestor. Hooded Warbler was moved to Setophaga and Wilson's and Canada Warbler were placed into Cardellina, an existing genus with Red-faced, Pink-headed, and Red Warbler.

The two Parula species were also folded into Setophaga as a result of the 2010 study. The Northern and Tropical Parula were originally the only two members of this genus, with the Northern Parula being the type-specimen of New World Warblers as a whole. I find that a bit ironic, as they are one of the smallest warblers and show quite an unusual color patter when compared to the rest of Parulidae, but I don't exactly know how type-specimen are chosen.

The largest genus to be merged with Setophaga was Dendroica. When I first began learning species names, I was familiar with this as the genus for most warblers. Due to the way taxonomic names work, the name which was published first takes precedent in these merging scenarios. So, despite the fact Dendroica had around 30 species and Setophaga had just 1, Setophaga was published first in 1827 (Dendroica in 1842).

In summary, Setophaga went from just a single species to now being the largest in the Parulid family, holding 34 species!

Image Sources: AMRE (Dan Pancamo); HOWA (Ninahale); NOPA (Dan Pancamo); MAWA (Cephas)

[birdingblog]

[ID: Five photos of a juvenile male American redstart (setophaga ruticilla) in the middle of a molt. In the first three photos, it's facing the viewer, and in the last two it is facing away. Its feathers are messy and awkward, fluffed up in some places and showing bare skin in others. End ID]

Another highlight from my outing today! American redstart in his awkward teen phase

[alonglistofbirds]

[187/10,977] American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla

Order: Passeriformes Suborder: Passeri Superfamily: Emberizoidea Family: Parulidae (new world warblers)

Photo credit: Christopher Johnson via Macaulay Library

[bestbackroads]

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 05/10/2023 - 05/13/2023 NY & VT US #americanredstart #redstart #bestbackroad #bestbackroads #natgeoyourshots #natgeo100contest #natgeo #rutlandcountyvt #washingtoncountyny #whitehallny #wildphotography #naturephotography #adventurephotography #wildlifephotography — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/igQWDtT

[oncorhynchus-mykiss]

Geothlypis formosa Kentukcy warbler

Setophaga citrina Hooded warbler

Setophaga ruticilla American redstart

Gustav Mützel, Die Nordamerikanische Vogelwelt, via Flickr

[geopsych]

American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla. Brings my birthday week bird species count to 59, somewhat short of my goal. But I was glad to see this fellow a half hour ago on my walk. Redstarts are one of my favorites among the spring warblers.

[thats-a-nice-nest]

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

© Thomas Sherry

[birdwatcher-sketches]

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

© Ray Ekstrom

[chickadeefriend]

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

[birdblues]

American Redstart

[fleetingfutures]

“We were full of dreams, and it was with impatient hearts that we imagined the joys and adventures life held in store for us.”

- Gaël Faye, Petit pays

[proton-wobbler]

Warbler Showdown pt 3; Bracket 2, Poll 2

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

IUCN Rating: Least Concern

Range: quite extensive; breeds throughout most of Canada and the northern states, then migrates through the central and Eastern states before overwintering in the Caribbean, and from southern Mexico to northern South America (Ecuador to eastern Venezuela).

Habitat: moist, deciduous, second-growth woodlands with abundant shrubs, as well as thickets found in treefall gaps of old-growth forests. Sometimes classified as a "forest generalist", especially with their diverse overwinter habitats, with habitat depending more on the specific local of the population.

Subspecies: none

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

IUCN Rating: Least Concern

Range: almost the entire continent of North America, save the locals of Nunavut, northern Quebec, and Greenland. Only migrates through the southern US states, and overwinters from southern Mexico all the way to Northern Brazil.

Habitat: breeds in wet, deciduous thicket, especially those with willows. While overwintering, uses a variety of wooded and scrubby habitats, as well as mangroves.

Subspecies: 9*; Mangrove Warbler could be split out as its own species

Image Sources: AMRE (Matt Felperin); YEWA (Tom Murray)