The Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) is a small, brightly-colored passerine bird that is commonly found in Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. This bird is about 5.5 inches long, with a wingspan of approximately 8 inches. It weighs between 0.3-0.4 ounces, which is about the weight of two standard paperclips.

The Painted Redstart has a distinctive appearance, with a black hood, white belly, and bright red patches on its wings, tail, and sides. The male and female have similar coloring, with the male being slightly brighter and more vibrant in color. One of the distinguishing field marks of the Painted Redstart is its habit of constantly fanning its tail, which flashes the bright red patches and makes it easy to identify in flight.

The Painted Redstart is a migratory bird, spending the summer breeding season in mountainous areas of western North America and wintering in Mexico and Central America. During migration, they can be found in a variety of habitats, including oak and pine forests, canyons, and scrublands. They are also known to occasionally wander eastward during migration, sometimes appearing in states such as Texas and Oklahoma.

In terms of behavior, the Painted Redstart is an active bird, often seen darting and flitting through the branches of trees and shrubs in search of insects. They also use their bright plumage and tail-fanning behavior in courtship displays, and are known to defend their breeding territories vigorously against intruders.

The Painted Redstart is a beloved bird among birdwatchers, thanks to its striking appearance and active behavior. While it is not considered a threatened species, habitat loss and fragmentation are significant threats to its populations. Conservation efforts, such as protecting key breeding and wintering habitats, are important for ensuring the continued survival of this charismatic species.