Birdsong field guide
Painted Redstart
Myioborus pictus
The Painted Redstart is a striking, high-contrast wood-warbler known for its bold red belly and habitual wing and tail fanning. Unlike many other warblers, it shows no sexual dimorphism and both sexes are capable of singing.
What it sounds like
A rich, whistled song often described as 'weecha-weecha-weecha'; call is a sharp, metallic 'pwee'.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- It uses a specialized 'flushing' technique, fanning its white-edged tail and wings to startle insect prey into flight.
- Both males and females perform complex songs, a trait relatively rare among North American wood-warblers.
- They are unique among their genus (Myioborus) for being the only species that regularly breeds in the United States.
- Nests are typically constructed on the ground, often tucked into steep banks or sheltered by overhanging vegetation.
- The species is non-migratory in much of its range, though northern populations retreat from the U.S. to Mexico in winter.
Habitat
Montane pine-oak forests and riparian canyons, typically between 4,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation.
Range
Southwestern United States (primarily Arizona and New Mexico) through Mexico to northern Nicaragua.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Brown-capped RedstartMyioborus brunnicepsCollared RedstartMyioborus torquatusGolden-fronted RedstartMyioborus ornatusParia RedstartMyioborus pariaeSaffron-breasted RedstartMyioborus cardonaiSlate-throated RedstartMyioborus miniatusSpectacled RedstartMyioborus melanocephalusSpectacled RedstartMyioborus melanocephalus
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