American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

1st alternative:
      (Any Upland Deciduous (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
   containing:
      Stand/Gap Openings

2nd alternative:
      (Any Lowland Deciduous (Sap))
      or (Mixed Lowland Hardwoods (Sap))
      or Upland Brush 
      or Savanna
      or Lowland Brush

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: The American Redstart occurs in a variety of wooded habitats, mostly forested. In the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula the species is found mostly in deciduous and mixed forest, both dry and moist, but occasionally in coniferous areas. Atlas Habitat data from the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula show that the species was found most often in maple and poplar woodlands. It is not absolutely restricted to forest, having been recorded several times in wet, brushy areas. In the southern Lower Peninsula, where the species is less numerous, it is found almost entirely in damp, deciduous woodlands and, in many areas, only along streams. The nest is a cup placed in a shrub or small tree usually at a height of 1 to 7 m.

Throughout Michigan, the American Redstart uses many of the same habitats as the Least Flycatcher. The more aggressive flycatcher can exclude the redstart from the niche both species prefer for aerial pursuit of insects-open areas at middle height within the forest. The ability of the redstart to tolerate denser foliage permits it a wider choice of habitats than the flycatcher, however.

Habitat: Breeding: In orchards, saplings bordering on pastures, second-growth deciduous woodlands (occasionally coniferous or mixed); in shade trees and shrubbery about dwellings, second-growth maples; also in willow and alder thickets bordering ponds and streams. Most abundant in extensive, sapling/pole stage deciduous woodlands.

Habitat: Second-growth woods, river groves. Breeds in open deciduous and mixed woodland, preferring edges of forests or second growth. Attracted also to roadside trees, shrubby and tree-lined stream banks, and ponds. Will nest in second-growth maples, birch, and aspen following fire in coniferous forests. In the northwest, prefers willow and alder thickets.

Diet: Mostly insects. Feeds on a wide variety of insects including beetles, caterpillars, moths, leafhoppers, aphids, midges, crane flies; also spiders and daddy longlegs. Also eats some seeds and berries.

Nest: Site picked by female, usually in fork of tree, 4-70 feet up; rarely on the ground. Open cup nest of plant fibers, grass, rootlets, decorated with lichen, birch bark, and feathers; lined with feathers. Sometimes uses old nests of other birds.