American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

This bird travels from as far south as northern South America in winter, to as far north as northwestern Canada and southeastern Canada during breeding season. Rarely do they visit the western USA. When foraging these birds appear as sparks or flickering flames in the canopy in search of their insect prey. Constantly in motion, these birds are challenging subjects to photograph while feeding.

Breeding season finds these birds in second growth broadleaf forests in North America, where they tend to stay in the mid to lower sections of the canopy. In the winter season they seek woody habitats often near agriculture. Shade-grown coffee plantations seem to be especially attractive to them.