Setophaga ruticilla, commonly known as the American Redstart, is native to North America. It is primarily found across the eastern United States and southern Canada during the breeding season. The species migrates to Central America, the West Indies, and the northern parts of South America for the winter.

The American Redstart typically inhabits deciduous and mixed forests, particularly those with ample understory vegetation such as shrubs and saplings. It prefers moist, open woodlands along streams and the edges of swamps and lakes. These environments provide abundant insect food sources which are vital for their diet.

The American Redstart plays an important role as an insectivore, controlling insect populations in its habitat. It is known for its active foraging style, often seen fluttering and darting among leaves to catch insects in flight. This bird occupies a migratory ecological niche, traveling significant distances between breeding and wintering grounds, thereby also influencing the ecosystems of various regions throughout the year.