Goldcrest

Regulus regulus

Genus · Firecrests, Goldcrests, and Allies Family · Kinglets
Observation tips Difficulty: HARD
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Canopy foliageConiferous branchesPine forests

Listen for a very high-pitched 'zee-zee-zee' call. Look for a tiny, tail-less looking bird with a bright yellow or orange stripe on the head.

Goldcrest

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan13–16 cm
Weight4–7 g
Length8–9 cm
Lifespan wild2–5 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size7–12 eggs
Incubation14–17 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Insectivore

🦗Insects
🕷️Spiders

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Claims that Goldcrests migrate by riding on larger birds are a myth. They migrate independently, though they may occasionally perch on larger birds for short rest.

About

The Goldcrest is Europe's smallest bird. It weighs about the same as a 20-cent coin. It is a specialist of coniferous forests, especially spruce and pine. It has a plain face with a large dark eye and olive-green plumage. It is a hardy resident. However, northern birds perform remarkable migrations across the North Sea in autumn.

Behaviour

Goldcrests live high in the conifer canopy. They have a thin, needle-like bill for extracting insects from between pine needles. Their song is a rhythmic 'squeaky wheel' warble. It is one of the highest-pitched sounds in the bird world. They build a tiny spherical nest made of moss and cobwebs under a branch.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a bright orange center to his yellow crest. He can raise these feathers into a small 'mohawk' during displays.

♀ Female

Has a pure lemon-yellow crest with no orange center. Her face is otherwise identical to the male's.

Similar species

Common Firecrest
🐦
Common Firecrest
Regulus ignicapilla
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