Bird Guide

Painted Whitestart vs Spectacled 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

Sonogram of the Painted Whitestart
Recorded by Ana Rebeca Martinez Martinez · Call · Santa María Coatlán, San Pablo Coatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico · CC0
Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren · CC BY 2.0
Spectacled Whitestart (Myioborus melanocephalus)

Spectacled Whitestart

Myioborus melanocephalus

Tiny11 gForest

The spectacled whitestart generally weighs between 10 and 13 grams, and is between 13 and 13.5 centimetres (5.1 and 5.3 in) long. The species has a black face and crown, while the nape of the neck and the back are grey. The tail is largely black, but the outermost feathers have some white on them. The underside of the throat, from the throat to the tail, is yellow. The undertail coverts are white. The beak and the legs are black, while the iris is dark. Males and females are indistinguishable. Juveniles have grey on the head and back, and have an underside that is paler yellow.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Spectacled Whitestart
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Napo: Salcedo-Tena road at Río Anatenorio, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Anna Hess · CC BY 4.0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

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