GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

Species Code: SERU

Legend:
= Core Habitat
= Marginal Habitat

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Habitats used during non-breeding months and migratory rest-stops were not mapped.

Metadata (Data about data or how the map was made)

Click to enlarge distribution map

Map with Breeding Bird Atlas records

Other maps & Information:

Breeding Bird Atlas
NatureMapping observations
during breeding season
NatureMapping observations
throughout the year

This species is locally uncommon in hardwood woodlands fringing wetlands in northeastern Washington.

It is a rare breeder in similar habitats in the northeastern Cascades in Okanogan, Chelan, and Kittitas Counties, and in the Blue Mountains at low elevations. It is a rare summer resident along the Skagit River in Whatcom County, possibly breeding there. Possibly it was formerly breeding in Yakima County.

Core zones were forested zones below the Sub-alpine Fir zone in northeastern Washington. Peripherally, it can be found in adjacent steppe zones, plus very locally in zones along the Touchet, Methow, Skagit, Wenatchee, Stehekin, and Yakima River valleys, and creeks in the western Blue Mountains where breeding is likely. In northeastern forested zones, all water/wetlands and hardwood forests were good; forest openings and clearings and conifer forests were contingently suitable, i.e. suitable if appropriate habitat (deciduous tree patches in this case) occurred within the larger mapped habitat. In peripheral zones, only riparian and hardwood forest habitats were included.

Washington breeders represent the northern subspecies S.r.tricolora. The American Redstart is one of the most common warblers in the eastern United States, but its preference for hardwood-dominated habitats limits its distribution in the west The Skagit River valley, with drier conditions than other western Washington river valleys and extensive stands of hardwood forest, is the only west-side site with likely American Redstart with breeding activity. Wahl reported that in late June of 1995, three singing males were found on territories near Newhalem on the Skagit Riveer (Whatcom County). Two birds were seen in June 1996 on the Skagit River. The American Redstart possibly is still a rare breeder in the Blue Mountains, although it is reported to have declined in this region. The Redstart stronghold in Washington is certainly along the rivers of Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties. This population is probably an extension of adjacent populations in British Columbia and Idaho. Cannings et al. also report in l987 that 7 of ll known nests in the Okanagan valley of British Columbia were parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds; all nests were in riparian tree species.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Bird Volume by Uchenna Bright
Text edited by Gussie Litwer
Webpage designed by Dave Lester