American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyParulidae (New World Warblers)
- GenusSetophaga (Setophaga Warblers)
- SpeciesSetophaga ruticilla (American Redstart)
About the American Redstart
The American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is a New World warbler. It is only distantly related to the Old World (common) redstart, with both belonging to the order Passeriformes. The American redstart was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Motacilla ruticilla.
The genus name Setophaga is from Ancient Greek σής : sēs (genitive σητός : sētós) "moth", and φάγος : phágos "eater". The specific ruticilla is Neo-Latin for "redstart" from Latin rutilus, "red", and the diminutive -cilla.
In Ancient Greek the name was φοινίκουρος : phoiníkouros (from φοῖνιξ : phoĩnix- "red" and οὐρά : ourá "tail") "Redstart" refers to the male's red tail, "start" being an old word for tail. The American redstart is a smallish warbler. It measures 11 to 14 cm (4.3 to 5.5 in) in total length and has a wingspan of 16 to 23 cm (6.3 to 9.1 in). Its length is boosted by a relatively long tail and it is one of the lightest birds in its family. Weight is considerably less in winter than in summer. Males weigh an average of 8.6 g (0.30 oz) in summer but drop to 7.2 g (0.25 oz) in winter, while females drop even... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Saguaro National Park
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
Audubon's Warbler
Setophaga auduboni
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Setophaga nigrescens
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Setophaga pensylvanica
Townsend's Warbler
Setophaga townsendi
Yellow-throated Warbler
Setophaga dominica
Hermit Warbler
Setophaga occidentalis
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Setophaga caerulescens
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a American Redstart in Saguaro National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a American Redstart sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 21 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see American Redstart in Saguaro National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for American Redstart in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.