This more flattering name was probably coined because of the brilliant, almost ornamental, black and orange plumage of the adult male and the fact that this species is commonly seen during the Christmas months in tropical regions.
Redstarts actually spend the majority of the year in the tropics.
In September, they begin arriving on their wintering grounds, which extend from southern Mexico and the Caribbean to northeastern South America. Upon arrival, they immediately begin establishing territories with the use of several aggressive behaviors including vocalizations, aerial displays, and posturing. This behavior involves one redstart making a rapid and deliberate flight toward another perched redstart. The two birds then change perches and the chase is repeated, sometimes with one bird consistently being the aggressor and at other times the two birds continuously circling toward the other with no obvious dominant aggressor. Behaviors such as this can persist for several hours, especially during territory establishment in autumn.