Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Appearance:

Length: 3.5-4.3 in
Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz
Wingspan: 6.3-7.1 in

Kinglets are tiny songbirds with relatively large heads, almost no neck, and thin tails. They have very small, thin, straight bills. They are olive-green birds with a prominent white eyering and white wingbar. This wingbar contrasts with an adjacent blackish bar in the wing. The “ruby crown” of the male is only occasionally visible.

Habitat:

Ruby-crowned Kinglets breed in tall, dense conifer forests such as spruce, fir, and tamarack. In winter and during migration, also look for them in shrubby habitats, deciduous forests, parks, and suburbs.

Behavior:

These are restless, acrobatic birds that move quickly through foliage, typically at lower and middle levels. They flick their wings almost constantly as they go.

Photography Tip

Since they very jittery birds that mostly sticks to thick foliage, they can be quite difficult to photograph. However, I’ve found that if you observe their behavior long enough, you’ll notice patterns. There will be specific branches they’ll return to more than others. Position your lens at one of these branches, remain still and quiet, and they will come to you.