Painted Redstart Sighting

by Morgan Harpster

A historic moment for Chicago and Illinois birding came in late August when birders Jeff Bilsky and Beau Schaefer spotted a Painted Redstart. This is the first such sighting recorded in the state, with photo evidence included.

Painted Redstarts are a New World warbler usually found in Central America, but they can be spotted in the southwestern United States as well. One being spotted this far North is truly a remarkable moment. The bird is black with white stripes and a bright, scarlet belly, and notably, the females are just as vivid and beautiful as the males. Apparent lovers of equality, both male and female birds sing equally well, and are known to sing duets when courting.

Jeff Bilsky was kind enough to detail his experience with COS. He and his friend, Schaefer, were at Lakewood Forest Preserve to observe shorebirds. After a successful morning watching shorebirds including “several short-billed dowitchers and stilt sandpipers,” they hiked in the nearby woods. The friends were sharing their disappointment at not observing many warblers when the birds decided to prove them wrong, and they were able to spot some Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, and Tennessee Warblers. Then nature pulled a true one-two punch as Bilsky spotted the Painted Redstart. Disbelieving his luck, he took several diagnostic photos and dropped a pin for the sighting on a local GroupMe chat. He described the bird as “amazing and beautiful in its brilliant red belly, white wings and the constantly waving tail,” and added that “it was VERY hard to photograph, as it bounced around the trees gleaning insects off branches.” The Redstart then disappeared into the woods.

The friends attempted to relocate the bird as eager birders began to arrive hoping for a turn spotting the redstart, but unfortunately a Red-tailed Hawk flew overhead and dispersed many of the nearby birds, including the redstart. They were only able to describe their historic experience as more people arrived and attempted to discover where the bird had flown off to. After several hours, “from deep in the woods, a message appeared on the GroupMe chat: ‘I have it.’ And then a pin.” Alex Haza had spotted the new location of the Painted Redstart, and because of that, other birders were able to see this beautiful warbler.