American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Silhouette: Dylan GE Gomes · PhyloPic
- 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 San Lorenzo Protected Forest
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Setophaga pensylvanica
Bay-breasted Warbler
Setophaga castanea
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
Blackpoll Warbler
Setophaga striata
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Tennessee Warbler
Leiothlypis peregrina
Rufous-capped Warbler
Basileuterus rufifrons
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Mourning Warbler
Geothlypis philadelphia
Canada Warbler
Cardellina canadensis
Kentucky Warbler
Geothlypis formosa
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.