Ruby-crowned Kinglet

posted on 20 Jan 2009 17:01 by tatchai-128

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was described in 1766 by Linnaeus; its generic name is Latin for 'little king'. The Kinglets are a group which appear to be only distantly related to all other passerines. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet differs sufficiently in its voice and plumage from other kinglets that it is occasionally be afforded its own genus, Corthylio. Adult birds are olive-grey on the upperparts with light underparts, with a thin black bill and a short tail. They have white wing bars and a white broken eye ring. The adult male has a red patch on his crown which is usually only visible when he is agitated.

Their song is a melodious warble and fairly loud, but at least in winter habitat, the most common vocalization is a wren-like scolding "jdit", often repeated several times in close succession. On breeding grounds, they sometimes deliver a prolonged and monotonous "chirrup" call that can be heard for long distances.

Their breeding habitat is coniferous forests across Canada, Alaska, northern New England and the western United States. They nest in a well-concealed hanging cup suspended from a conifer branch and may lay as many as twelve eggs in a clutch. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating small insects and spiders, some berries and tree sap. They may hover over a branch while feeding and sometimes fly out to catch insects in flight

edit @ 2 Feb 2009 19:32:16 by teira

edit @ 2 Feb 2009 20:33:15 by teira

edit @ 2 Feb 2009 20:50:31 by teira

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