ExploreBirds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny bird with a bright red crown on its head. It loves to flit around trees and bushes, searching for tiny insects to eat. These little birds are very energetic and fun to watch!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny, active songbird with olive-green plumage and a prominent white eye-ring. Males have a bright red crown patch, often concealed, which they can flash when excited. They are noticeably smaller than warblers and chickadees.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyRegulidaeGenusRegulus
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby kinglets hatch featherless and are completely helpless at birth!

Their song is remarkably loud for their size, making them easy to hear!

They build unique cup-shaped nests, held together with spider silk!

This tiny bird can migrate thousands of kilometers twice a year!

Special abilities

Ability

Hover-Hunter

Ruby-crowned Kinglet can hover in mid-air with rapid wing beats, that helps them pluck tiny insects from leaves and bark.

Ability

Crown Flash

Ruby-crowned Kinglet has a hidden red crown patch that helps them signal excitement or dominance to other kinglets.

Ability

Acrobatic Forager

Ruby-crowned Kinglet can hang upside down like an acrobat that helps them find hidden bugs on branches.

Measurements & details

Length
9-11 cm
Wingspan
14-18 cm
Weight
0.005-0.008 kg
Lifespan
1-6 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
7-12
Incubation
12-14 days
Migration Distance
5000 km

Diet & Feeding

These tiny birds mostly eat small insects and spiders, but sometimes enjoy berries or tree sap!

Primary Foods

  • beetles
  • flies
  • spiders
  • caterpillars
  • berries
  • tree sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

shelters

White Spruce

Picea glauca

Nests are often built high in coniferous trees like spruce.

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Small birds like kinglets are common prey for this hawk.

eats

Stretch Spider

Tetragnatha extensa

Kinglets consume many types of spiders found in their habitat.

eats

Lake Midge

Chironomus plumosus

They forage on small insects, including various midge species.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Ruby-crowned Kinglet?

9-11 cm

What is Ruby-crowned Kinglet's wingspan?

14-18 cm

How much does Ruby-crowned Kinglet weigh?

0.005-0.008 kg

How long does Ruby-crowned Kinglet live?

1-6 years

How fast can Ruby-crowned Kinglet move?

45 km/h

What does Ruby-crowned Kinglet eat?

These tiny birds mostly eat small insects and spiders, but sometimes enjoy berries or tree sap!

Where is Ruby-crowned Kinglet usually found?

Forests

How does Ruby-crowned Kinglet hunt?

Foraging

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