Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula), male
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Male

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Corthylio calendula, is a diminutive passerine that graces the North American landscape with its presence. This member of the kinglet family is adorned with olive-green plumage, accented by two white wing bars and a delicate white eye-ring. The male boasts a hidden gem—a vibrant red crown patch, typically concealed among the feathers. Both sexes are similar in appearance, save for this crown, and juveniles share the adults' plumage pattern. Among the smallest of North American songbirds, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a unique species, placed in its own genus, Corthylio.

Identification Tips

When observing these birds, look for the characteristic wing-flicking behavior and listen for their complex vocalizations. The male's red crown patch, though often hidden, is a key distinguishing feature. In flight, they exhibit rapid wing beats, and their overall appearance is a combination of gray-green upperparts and olive-buff underparts, with the distinctive white wing bars and eye-ring.

Habitat

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet favors spruce-fir forests for its breeding grounds. These forests are typically found in the northern reaches and mountainous regions of the United States and Canada.

Distribution

This migratory bird has a range that spans from northwest Canada and Alaska, all the way south to Mexico. During the breeding season, they inhabit the northern and mountainous areas, while in winter, they can be found in the southern United States and Mexico.

Behaviour

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is an active forager, flitting through trees and shrubs in search of small insects and spiders. It is known for its agility, often hovering or even catching insects mid-flight. When agitated or displaying, the male may reveal its namesake ruby crown. These birds are also known for their fearless defense of the nest, engaging in distraction displays and mobbing potential predators.

Song & Calls

The kinglet's song is a complex and loud affair, especially considering the bird's small size. It consists of high-pitched notes, low trills, and a distinctive "galloping" phrase. While there is individual variation, the full song is typically heard from males, with females producing an abbreviated version.

Breeding

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet constructs a cup-shaped nest, which may be pensile or placed on a tree branch, often well-hidden. It lays up to 12 eggs per clutch, the largest number for a North American passerine of its size.

Similar Species

The Golden-crowned Kinglet is similar in size and behavior but can be differentiated by its coloration and the presence of black crown stripes. Hutton's Vireo and the Dwarf Vireo also share some visual similarities but are larger with stouter bills and legs, and lack the black bar on the wings characteristic of the kinglet.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily insectivorous, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet supplements its diet with fruits and seeds as available.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Ruby-crowned Kinglet as Least Concern, with population trends indicating an increase, likely due to the discovery and utilization of less disturbed northern territories for breeding.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Goldcrests, Kinglets

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.