redstart
1 synonym for redstart, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Any of various small insect-eating birds, mainly of the genus Phoenicurus, many of which have a red tail.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
redtail
How to use redstart
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a male redstart
a redstart in the hedge
the American redstart
It is a standard word, mostly used by birdwatchers.
Etymology
It comes from Middle English and combines red with start, an old word meaning tail. Dutch roodstaart and Danish rødstjert are comparable words.
Full origin of redstart →Frequently asked questions
What is a redstart?
A redstart is a small insect-eating bird, mainly of the genus Phoenicurus. Many kinds have a red tail.
Why is it called a redstart?
The name joins red with an old word, start, meaning tail. Many redstarts have a red tail.
Is the American redstart related to other redstarts?
Only distantly. The American redstart is a warbler, Setophaga ruticilla.
