16 Nebraskaland • May 2019
PHOTO
BY
PHIL
SWANSON
THE AMERICAN REDSTART
May is a special month for birds as countless individuals
representing dozens of species return from points south.
Among the arrivals are the warblers, which are small,
brightly colored and lively. Most warblers weigh less than
two quarters but travel immense distances from wintering
sites in Mexico, Central and South America to breeding
areas in temperate and boreal forests of North America.
Some 30 species may occur in Nebraska during the month
as migrants, but only a small number remain to breed during
summer.
The American redstart is a warbler that is both a statewide
migrant and breeder, but summering birds are restricted
to woodlands along the Missouri River, Niobrara River and
in the Pine Ridge. Adult males older than a year are black
with patches of orange on the tail, wings and side. Females
are similarly patterned but are olive and gray rather
than black and possess yellow patches rather than orange
ones.
Redstarts display their orange or yellow patches by fanning
their tails and drooping their wings. Redstarts do this, in
part, to flush insects which they make short acrobatic flights
to capture. Unusual among songbirds is that one-year-old
male redstarts returning to breeding areas possess a plumage
similar to females. These youngsters will hold territories and
sometimes are able to find a mate and breed. All American
redstart males have loud musical, albeit slightly buzzy, songs
which they use to announce their presence to prospective
females and rival males.
Catching a glimpse of an American redstart, and most
other warbler species, requires patience as these birds
quickly move from branch to branch in the woodland canopy.
During May, birdwatchers often suffer from strained neck
muscles due to glaring into the treetops for long periods, an
affliction often referred to as "warbler-neck." However, a
clear view of an American redstart or any other warbler is
worth the temporary discomfort.
Visit the Birds of Nebraska – Online (
birdsofnebraska.org)
for more information about Nebraska birds.
By Joel G. Jorgensen
IN THE FIELD
