Listen +3 more audio recordings. The oldest known banded redstart lived to over 10 years of age. This bird likes more mature, open, hard-wood forest and survives eating a wide variety of insects it catches as it moves frantically through the trees. It has a distinctive habit of drooping down suddenly in pursuit of a flying insect. American Redstarts are incredibly active insectivores that seem never to stand still. The male's throat is black, but its breast and belly are white. However, few survive past the first stages of life, as the bird is vulnerable to both terrestrial and aerial predators. Some species look so much alike (Empidonax flycatchers) that scientists sometimes use the … Redstarts are often observed quickly fanning their tails open and closed; this "flashing" of the orange or yellow patches on the birds' tails startles their prey out of hiding. The male is black with orange patches on each wing, on the sides of its breast, and at the base of its tail on either side. The shape of a bird's wing is often an indication of its habits and behavior. Taxonomy and systematics. American Redstarts are active feeders, taking insects by flycatching or gleaning from foliage. They spend most of their time in the trees. 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. American redstart occasionally is polygamous, having two mates at the same time. It’s constantly on the move, often hopping along a branch swinging whole body from one side to the other side in a zigzag fashion. The shape of a bird's wing is often an indication of its habits and behavior. The common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), or often simply redstart, is a small passerine bird in the redstart genus Phoenicurus. Visit the Bent Life History for extensive additional information on the American Redstart. Wing Shape . It has a distinctive habit of dropping down suddenly in pursuit of a flying insect, then fanning its brightly marked tail from side to side. The American Redstart is a unique warbler. Fast flying birds have long, pointed wings. The American Redstart is referred to as "the butterfly of the bird world" because of its quick fluttering motions and bright orange color on the wings and tail. Each female has a territory up to 500 metres. They are known by some in the tropics as the "latrine bird" because of their tendency to look for flies around outhouse and garbage dumps. Bill, legs, and feet are black. POWERED BY MERLIN. They rapidly spread their cocked tails, exposing the orange or yellow in a quick flash, which often startles insect prey into flushing, whereupon the redstart darts after it, attempting to catch it in the air. American Redstart. Much smaller and more active than other black-and-orange birds like orioles. It frequently flashes its colorful wings and tail to flush insects from foliage. The female also has a white eye-ring. Redstarts have an upright stance and can be seen 'bobbing': moving in a similar fashion to Robins. Adult males are black with bright orange wings, tail, and sides. Soaring birds have long, broad wings. Common terrestrial predators include red squirrels, fish… Sign in to see your badges. Redstart Habits. Fast flying birds have long, pointed wings. Highest rates of predation occur during the breeding season when eggs and helpless nestlings are abundant and easy prey for varied predators. Sign up for ABC's eNews to learn how you can help protect birds. Soaring birds have long, broad wings. Identification. Females mostly brood during this period and thus often fall prey to nest predators.