Perching Birds
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Regulus
calendula
Description
3 3/4-4 1/2" (10-11 cm). Tiny.
Similar to Golden-crowned Kinglet, but greener, with no face pattern
except for narrow white eye ring. 2 white wing bars with dark area
beyond second. Males have tuft of red feathers on crown, kept
concealed unless bird is aroused. Hutton's Vireo is larger, with
thicker bill, larger head, and no dark area beyond second wing
bar.
Habitat
Coniferous forests in summer; also
deciduous forests and thickets in winter.
Range
Breeds from Alaska east across Canada to
Newfoundland, south to southern California and New Mexico in West,
and to Great Lakes region and northern New England in East. Winters
south from southern British Columbia and California across southern
tier of states to southern England.
Discussion
Because kinglets weigh little, they
are able to feed on the tips of conifer branches. The Ruby-crowned
feeds lower in the canopy than the Golden-crowned and
characteristically hovers above a twig looking for caterpillars,
aphids, and other insects. The Ruby-crowned is not as social in its
winter range as the Golden-crowned and occurs singly more often than
in flocks. It takes a sharp eye to see the male's red crown patch,
which is usually erected for a few seconds at a time when the bird
is displaying aggressively. It has a characteristic habit of
nervously flicking its wings.
Perching Birds