On 16 April birders from Fort Worth Audubon reported an ABA Code-4 Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) from Boot Spring in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park, Texas. After viewing it for five mintes the bird moved out of sight. Records of this species in the ABA Area are from New Mexico, Southeast Arizona, and Texas with at least three records from Big Bend NP and two of those from Boot Spring on 2-3 May 2003 and from 2 May 2006 (ABA Checklist, Pranty et al.).
If the wood-warbler phylogeny is changed as proposed (“News and Notes” Birding 43:2 p. 25), the Myioborus genus is proposed to remain, unlike our familiar Dendroica, Parula, Wilsonia, and Oporornis genera.
Slate-throated Redstart, like its congener, Painted Redstart, is a very active bird frequently fanning its tail to reveal white patches while frequently drooping and spreading its wings. This redstart species is a common, variable, and widespread, ranging from northern Mexico south to southern Bolivia. The subspecies from northern Mexico has red on its breast and belly. In Guatemala the red is replaced by orange-red underparts grading to yellow in Panama south (Warblers, Dunn and Garrett).
I live in Dripping Springs, Texas. I just saw a bird outside my home office window that could very possibly be a Slate-throated Redstart. It was so unusual that I looked up the description, while I watched it in the oak tree outside. I was able to study it closely for awhile... Honestly, it looked more like a Red-breasted Blackbird, but since those are only found well south of here, I have to assume it's the Redstart. It was about the size of a mockingbird, with a black head, wings and tail, and a RED breast and belly. Wish I had run for my camera...
Posted by: Cindy Edge | August 16, 2011 at 12:06 PM