American redstart

American redstart photographed in Manitoba

The redstart is a warbler that never seems to sit still. It flits from branch to branch with its tail fanned and wings drooped, flashing patches of orange and yellow like a signal flag. Males are glossy black with bright orange patches, while females and young males are grey with yellow, and the two can look like different species.

That fanned tail is a hunting trick. The sudden flash of colour startles insects out of the leaves, and the redstart snaps them up in mid-air. They arrive in Manitoba in May and nest in deciduous woodlands, building a tidy cup in the fork of a tree. By late summer they are on the move again, wintering as far away as the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America.

To learn more about this bird and its habitat, visit the American redstart page at All About Birds.

Here are some of my favourite frames of this bird.

Field notes in photographs

  • American redstart photographed in Manitoba, 1
  • American redstart photographed in Manitoba, 2
  • Male American redstart on gravel

American redstart Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the american redstart in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the american redstart nests and migrates, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the american redstart in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Shield and the Boreal Plains (gold) and passing through the Prairies in spring and fall (lilac). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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