The Slate-throated Redstart is also known as the Slate-throated Whitestart.
Description of the Slate-throated Redstart
BREEDING MALE
A grayish-blue bird with a dark chestnut cap.
Face and head darker than back. Outer tail feathers tipped with white.
Belly color ranges from yellow in the southern part of its range to red in the northern part of its range.
Female
Similar to male.
Seasonal change in appearance
None.
Juvenile
Similar to adults.
Habitat
Varied. Humid forest, open woodland, pine-oak and second growth.
See The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122(1):29–38, 2010
“BREEDING BIOLOGY AND NESTING SUCCESS OF THE SLATE-
THROATED WHITESTART (MYIOBORUS MINIATUS) IN
MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA” for additional information on this species.
Diet
Insects.
Behavior
Hops and flits through foliage. Similar to Painted Redstart, often opens and closes its tail, perhaps to scare up insects.
Range
Typically found in Mexico, south to South America. Very rare in the United States. Scattered reports from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Fun Facts
This species is also called the Slate-throated Whitestart by some ornithologists.
Vocalizations
A high, sharp tis or tsit. Song is a varied series of rich chips, often changing in pitch part, the 2nd part accelerating and typically ending abruptly or with an up-slurred note.
Similar Species
- The Painted Redstart is similar but has white wing patches and darker upperparts.
Nesting
Slate-throated Redstarts build domed nests in road banks, trail banks or on steep slopes and natural banks in open areas such as pasture edges, ravines, washouts, and tree fall gaps.
Number: Usually 3.?
Color: Whitish in color with darker markings.Incubation and fledging:
– The young hatch at about 14-15 days?
– Young fledge at about 11 days, though remaining dependent on the adults for some time.
Color: Whitish in color with darker markings.Incubation and fledging:
– The young hatch at about 14-15 days?
– Young fledge at about 11 days, though remaining dependent on the adults for some time.