Monday, August 18, 2008

An American Redstart: for Ruby Tuesday

This wood warbler is one that is very distinctive in its colouring and lends itself easily to identification. However it is only in its second fall season that this male American Redstart develops its striking orange and black adult plumage. A male wears a yellow and gray plumage for its first year, closely resembling this female American Redstart seen to the left. It is only after the first year that the male displays it easily seen reddish-orange and black feathers.
As with all warblers the Redstart is no exception in its quick movements as it darts about the foliage feeding on insects. This warblers tail movements are very noticeable as it often spreads and fans it to startle insects in the surrounding vegetation.
To check out other Ruby Tuesday postings, just click HERE, or click on the Ruby on the side bar. My appreciative thanks to Mary/the teach for hosting this site.

38 comments:

  1. He's a cute looking guy, this little warbler redstart!

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  2. I do love these little warblers and find them easier to spot with their bright colours. Your set of photos captures the personality well.

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  3. How pretty! I wish I would see one of those! Sort of like an Oriole (which I haven't seen either!) I love it's color! Great photos for something darting around in the trees.

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  4. What a beautiful little bird. You have captured it perfectly.

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  5. Anonymous9:34 AM

    Great shots of such active little birds. I caught a glimpse of an adult male so briefly at Point Pelee that it was practically subliminal; if it wasn't for the disgnostic colors and pattern I wouldn't have made an ID.

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  6. I've never seen a Redstart. Great pictures. I didn't know about the tail thing. Cute little guy.

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  7. deborah:
    I was really lucky with this shot. I was sitting in my living room chatting with visitors when I caught a glimpse of it in our trees. Everyone got good looks and I was afraid it would fly away before I got its picture, but it stayed and stayed and stayed. Like people sometimes are, its behaviour was rather unpredictable on this day.

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  8. What a good catch and nice pictures! Well done!
    Cheers, Klaus

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  9. Anonymous3:42 PM

    I don't know anything about birds so I really enjoy these wonderful pics and the info on them. Maybe of these days I'll see one and be able to say, "That's a male American Redstart!" :-D

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  10. I love to look at birds, nice photos.

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  11. Ann, excellent photos of these great birds! Thanks for a marvelous Ruby Tuesday post! :)

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  12. I hadn't heard of the Redstart. He matches the autumnal leaf color changes to a tee...The camouflage markings must look great in October!

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  13. ralph:
    I'm not sure if the Redstart is still here when the leaves start to change? Its something I have never thought of. It would be a beautiful picture to capture for sure but they probably have all headed back south by then.

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  14. Great post for Ruby Tuesday. Great capture, enjoyed them all.

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  15. They're beautiful,great shots!

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  16. Anonymous10:05 PM

    Those are beautiful birds.

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  17. What a lovely bird. I think I NEED to learn more about them. ;-)

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  18. Anonymous11:13 PM

    Oh what great photos of these sweet birds! Well done...

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  19. Anonymous11:14 PM

    Such beautiful birds! And stunning shots too:) I got an entry too:D

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  20. Anonymous11:15 PM

    I love how you take a photos of her:)Well done!

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  21. Nice photos. I can't recall seeing one of those before. I am going to keep my eyes peeled.

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  22. Anonymous1:07 AM

    Pretty interesting about the tail fanning. I never knew they did that! Happy Ruby Tuesday.

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  23. Anonymous1:51 AM

    What charming pictures of the Redstart - very interesting and wonderful RT post!!

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  24. Oh my stars! These photos are just gorgeous. The birds are so lovely.

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  25. Lovely photo and great info.
    The baby bird below is an awesome photo!

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  26. What a cute bird. Thanks for sharing it's info.

    Ruby post

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  27. Très jolies photos !

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  28. What a cute birdie! And you got such a nice close ups of him :o)

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  29. fantastic shots! i wish i have the same eye for beauty...

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  30. I've never seen one of these little guys. Your photos always amaze me. And that little baby warbler down below is just too adorable for words.

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  31. Anonymous12:11 PM

    Nice pictures and pretty birds.

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  32. What a wonderful sequence!

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  33. I don't know much about birds either so all these wonderful photos and all the information you share is wonderful!

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  34. I learned something today, as I have never seen one..

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  35. What a fabulous fellow! Your eagle above is magnificent!!

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  36. Very nice capture of this little bird. Especially since he was moving around as you were taking the photos!

    The series for Wordless Wednesday on the bald eagle is awesome.

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  37. What gorgeous birds and great photos Ann. LOVE your new header pic too, wonderful!

    www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

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  38. Never seen a red, but often the balck redstart. These are brilliant.

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