The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is one of North America’s smallest birds. You would think that the cherry crest would be this bird’s most obvious identifier; however, it’s not. Unfortunately, the male usually keeps its beautiful red crown hidden. This means that it is usually the olive-green coloring, wing bars, black legs, yellow feet, and continually moving wings that give it away. Oh, and don’t forget those lovely bold, incomplete white eye-rings!
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Common Name: Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Latin Name: Regulus calendula
Range: A migratory bird, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet’s range extends from northwest Canada and Alaska south to Mexico.
Habitat: Spruce-fir forests, mixed woods, and meadows.
Diet: Ruby-Crowned Kinglets prey on spiders, pseudoscorpions, and many types of insects, including aphids, wasps, ants, and bark beetles.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula
Click here and you will be directed to a website where you can listen to the call of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birding!
Danielle + Michelle
