american redstart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Ornithological
Quick answer
What does “american redstart” mean?
A small migratory songbird of North and Central America with black and orange plumage in the male.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small migratory songbird of North and Central America with black and orange plumage in the male.
A New World warbler (Setophaga ruticilla) known for its fanning tail and flycatching behavior; also refers to any of several similar birds in the genus Myioborus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'redstart' typically refers to the European species (Phoenicurus phoenicurus). The American bird is specified as the 'American redstart'. In North America, 'redstart' alone often refers to the American species.
Connotations
In the UK, it's an exotic species mentioned in birdwatching contexts. In North America, it's a familiar, though not ubiquitous, native songbird.
Frequency
More frequent in North American English, especially in regions where the bird is common. Rare in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “american redstart” in a Sentence
[birdwatcher/guide] spotted/saw an American redstart [in the woods].The American redstart [feeds/flies].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and biology papers discussing migration, plumage evolution, or species distribution.
Everyday
Used by birdwatchers, gardeners, or in nature documentaries; not common in general conversation.
Technical
Used as a precise species identifier in field guides, bird banding records, and conservation studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “american redstart”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “american redstart”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “american redstart”
- Misspelling as 'American red start' (should be a single compound word or hyphenated: redstart).
- Confusing it with the 'painted redstart', which is a different species (Myioborus pictus).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not closely related. They belong to different bird families (Parulidae vs. Muscicapidae) but share a common name due to similar reddish tail markings and behavior.
It comes from the Old English word 'steort', meaning 'tail'. So 'redstart' essentially means 'red tail'.
During summer, look in deciduous and mixed forests across much of the US and Canada. During migration, they can appear in parks and gardens.
It is a compound noun. 'Redstart' is typically written as one word, and 'American' is the modifying adjective. It is sometimes hyphenated ('American red-start') in older texts.
A small migratory songbird of North and Central America with black and orange plumage in the male.
American redstart is usually technical/ornithological in register.
American redstart: in British English it is pronounced /əˌmɛr.ɪ.kən ˈrɛd.stɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˌmɛr.ə.kən ˈrɛdˌstɑrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: AMERICA'S Red STAR Tail. The bird is from America and fans its reddish tail like a little star.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FLASHING EMBER (for its quick, bright orange and black movements among leaves).
Practice
Quiz
What primarily distinguishes the American redstart from the European redstart?