Bird Guide

Painted Whitestart vs Slate-throated Whitestart

Painted Whitestart (Myioborus pictus)

Painted Whitestart

Myioborus pictus

Tiny10 gForest

The painted redstart is the largest species of Myioborus, measuring 5.1–5.9 in (13–15 cm) in length, 8.3 inches (21 cm) in wingspan and having a weight of 0.3–0.4 oz (8.5–11.3 g). The sexes are the same in plumage, though males average slightly larger than females. The adult is mostly black, with a bright red lower breast and belly, large white wing patches, white outer tail feathers and white crescents below its eyes. The bill and legs are blackish. The juvenile painted redstart lacks the red belly and glossy black plumage of the adult. Voice: Painted redstarts are unusual amongst birds, and especially amongst warblers, in that the female is capable of singing just as well as a male, and during spring courtship a pair will often bond by singing together.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Ana Rebeca Martinez Martinez · CC0
Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren · CC BY 2.0
Slate-throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus)

Slate-throated Whitestart

Myioborus miniatus

Tiny9 gForest

The slate-throated whitestart is a long-tailed warbler measuring 12 cm (4.7 in) long. It has a deep rufous head, dark back, and contrasting bright yellow breast, belly and white vent and tail tips. The bill is black, and the legs are blackish-gray. While most of its plumage changes little throughout its large range, the underparts grade from yellow in most of its range, to red in the northernmost part.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Painted Whitestart and Slate-throated Whitestart.