Painted Redstart

The Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) is a dazzling and animated songbird of the New World warbler family (Parulidae). Unlike most warblers, which are notoriously difficult to spot among dense foliage, the Painted Redstart is exceptionally conspicuous both in its contrasting plumage and its restless, showy behavior. It belongs to the genus Myioborus, a group commonly referred to as "whitestarts" due to their prominent white outer tail feathers. This species is a favorite among birders in the southwestern United States and Mexico, lighting up shady mountain canyons with its bold coloration and charmingly energetic personality.

Identifying a Painted Redstart is extremely straightforward, as no other North American warbler shares its precise coloration.

• Plumage: Deep, velvety black overall on the head, throat, back, and upper breast. This dark plumage contrasts sharply with a brilliant, glowing cherry-red lower breast and belly.
• Wings & Tail: Features a large, stark white patch on the wing coverts that is highly visible even when the bird is perched. The outer tail feathers are bright white, while the center of the tail is black.
• Face: A small but distinct white crescent or "half-eyering" sits directly below the eye.
• Sexes: Unlike many warblers, males and females are monomorphic, sharing the same striking coloration.
• Juveniles: Immatures are mostly soot-gray where adults are black, and they lack the bright red belly, showing instead a pale, grayish-white underbelly with faint streaking. They still retain the characteristic white wing patches and white outer tail feathers.

Similar Species: The Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) is a rare vagrant to the U.S. that looks somewhat similar but has a dark slate-gray back (rather than jet black), lacks the large white wing patch, and features a red or orange-red belly that extends higher up the breast.

Painted Redstarts are birds of the mountains, primarily breeding in pine-oak woodlands, shady montane canyons with rocky walls, and mature riparian forests.

• Elevation: They are generally found at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet (1,200 to 2,400 meters).
• Geographic Range: Their breeding range extends from the southwestern United States (predominantly southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and West Texas) southward through the highlands of Mexico and Central America to northern Nicaragua.
• Migration: Populations breeding in the United States and northern Mexico are medium-distance migrants, wintering from northern Mexico south. However, some individuals remain year-round in the milder climates of southern Arizona. Central American populations are resident year-round.

The behavior of the Painted Redstart is as distinctive as its plumage. They are hyperactive and seemingly incapable of staying still for more than a few seconds.

Foraging Instincts

To catch food, the Painted Redstart employs a highly specialized "flush-chase" feeding strategy. It hops along large tree branches, trunks, rock faces, and even the ground, constantly spreading its wings and fanning its tail to flash its stark white patches. This sudden burst of contrasting pattern startles resting insects, causing them to fly. As soon as the insect moves, the redstart darts out in a quick aerial pursuit to snap it up.

Diet

While primarily insectivorous—eating flies, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and spiders—Painted Redstarts will also feed on tree sap. They are known to visit sap wells drilled by sapsuckers, utilizing the sugary fluid as a valuable energy source during early spring when insect activity is low.

Vocalizations

Both sexes are accomplished singers, which is unusual for warblers. The song is a rich, whistled, rolling series of notes often written as wee-cher, wee-cher, wee-cher, reminiscent of an Orchard Oriole or a Yellow-breasted Chat but sweeter and more musical. Their call is a loud, clear, upward-slurping preee or shree that carries easily through mountain canyons.

Nesting

Nest placement is unique: they are ground nesters. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest of grass, leaves, and bark fibers, often hiding it masterfully under a rock overhang, grassy clump, or exposed tree root on a steep canyon bank. They lay 3 to 4 creamy-white eggs, speckled with fine brown or reddish spots.