RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET – (Regulus calendula) – (See images below)
DESCRIPTION: The Ruby-crowned Kinglet male has a red crown (usually hidden) on the head. Upper parts are grey with some green, and under parts are green. Females are similar except for the red crown. Bill, legs and feet are grey, eyes are black. The bird is around 10 cm (4 inches) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Regulus-calendula
NAME: The English name ‘Kinglet’ stems from the bright head feathers. The Latin genus name ‘Regulus’ means ‘little prince’, and the Latin species name ‘calendula’ means ‘glowing’ (for the ruby crown).
HABITAT: Coniferous forest in summer, mixed forest and shrub land in winter.
DIET: Mostly insects in summer, berries and seeds in winter. Forages in trees.
NESTING: Nest is built high in a conifer. From six to twelve light beige eggs are laid, incubated by the female. Chicks fed by both parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Breeds in Alaska and Canada up to the tree line, also in USA Rocky Mountain coniferous forests. Migrates to south USA and Mexico for the winter.
Distribution map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby-crowned_kinglet#/media/File:Regulus_calendula_range.png
ON PEI: Breeds on Prince Edward Island and common.
CONSERVATION: When flying back from migration, the ruby-crowned kinglet, along with dozens of other species, is vulnerable to collisions with windows, particularly from high-rise buildings in cities. The city of Toronto is especially challenging because it is located by Lake Ontario and is in the middle of a well-traveled migration route.
NOTES: Very active bird, flicking tail frequently.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Golden-crowned Kinglet
REFERENCES: https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/ruby-crowned-kinglet
https://www.mba-aom.ca/jsp/toc.jsp (Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas)
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/ruby-crowned-kinglet
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Regulus_calendula/ (University of Michigan)
https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/122/_/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet.aspx
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet/overview
DESCRIPTION: The Ruby-crowned Kinglet male has a red crown (usually hidden) on the head. Upper parts are grey with some green, and under parts are green. Females are similar except for the red crown. Bill, legs and feet are grey, eyes are black. The bird is around 10 cm (4 inches) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Regulus-calendula
NAME: The English name ‘Kinglet’ stems from the bright head feathers. The Latin genus name ‘Regulus’ means ‘little prince’, and the Latin species name ‘calendula’ means ‘glowing’ (for the ruby crown).
HABITAT: Coniferous forest in summer, mixed forest and shrub land in winter.
DIET: Mostly insects in summer, berries and seeds in winter. Forages in trees.
NESTING: Nest is built high in a conifer. From six to twelve light beige eggs are laid, incubated by the female. Chicks fed by both parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Breeds in Alaska and Canada up to the tree line, also in USA Rocky Mountain coniferous forests. Migrates to south USA and Mexico for the winter.
Distribution map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby-crowned_kinglet#/media/File:Regulus_calendula_range.png
ON PEI: Breeds on Prince Edward Island and common.
CONSERVATION: When flying back from migration, the ruby-crowned kinglet, along with dozens of other species, is vulnerable to collisions with windows, particularly from high-rise buildings in cities. The city of Toronto is especially challenging because it is located by Lake Ontario and is in the middle of a well-traveled migration route.
NOTES: Very active bird, flicking tail frequently.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Golden-crowned Kinglet
REFERENCES: https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/ruby-crowned-kinglet
https://www.mba-aom.ca/jsp/toc.jsp (Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas)
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/ruby-crowned-kinglet
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Regulus_calendula/ (University of Michigan)
https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/122/_/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet.aspx
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet/overview
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| Ruby-crowned kinglet male, Matt Beardsley |
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| Ruby-crowned kinglet, by Kathy McCormack |