Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula
(Regulidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

4.25 inches long. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a very small bird with a thin bill. The upperparts are olive and the underparts are pale olive. There is a broken eye ring and two strong white wing bars. The tail and flight feathers have yellow edges. The male has a scarlet patch in the center of the crown but this is hard to see and not always visible.

 

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a common migrant best seen in the spring in April and May and in the fall in September and October.

 

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is very active and often flicks its wings. The male raises its crown feathers to show the scarlet crown patch when he is agitated. Males migrate earlier than females in spring and later in the fall. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet will often join mixed flocks with other small birds. This little bird has one of the largest clutches of any small songbird with up to 12 eggs. The song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a surprisingly loud and strong “si, sisisi, berr, berr, pudi, pudi, pudi, see”.

 

Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Phil Swanson.