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Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: REGULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A tiny, continuously active bird, the Golden-crowned Kinglet is most frequently found in coniferous woods. Despite being barely larger than a hummingbird, the kinglet winters northward to Canada and Alaska.

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Appearance

Chickadeelike
Chickadeelike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Tiny bird.
  • Dull, olive-green on back.
  • Whitish below.
  • Wingbars.
  • Black stripe through eyes, white eyebrow.
  • Crown yellow, orange centered in male (often hidden), bordered in black.
  • Short tail.
  • In constant motion, continually flicking its wings.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but with browner back and without yellow crown.

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Golden-crowned Kinglet Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Tiny and stocky songbird
    • Short tail
    • Olive-green wings
    • Bright yellow crown stripe, bordered in black
    • © Bill Thompson, Kennebago Lake, Maine, October 2011
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Very small, compact songbird
    • Mostly gray with olive wings
    • Bright yellow crown stripe surrounded by black
    • Very small, flattened bill
    • © Bill Thompson, Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts, November 2011
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Very small, with short tail and bill
    • Olive-green wings and tail
    • Mostly gray with yellow crown stripe bordered with black
    • © Bryan Hix, Uptown Chicago, Illinois, October 2010
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Very small and stocky
    • Often appears "fluffy" or "inflated"
    • Striking yellow crown patch surrounded by black
    • White eyebrow
    • © Dave Boltz, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge, Virginia, November 2011
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Very small, stocky, and compact
    • Short tail
    • Olive-green wings
    • Bright yellow on crown surrounded by black, with contrasting white eyebrow
    • © Ken Schneider, Nelson Lake, Kane County, Illinois, October 2010
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Tiny, compact songbird
    • Very small, flattened black bill
    • Bright yellow crown patch bordered with black and contrasting white eyebrow
    • Mostly gray overall with olive-green wings and tail
    • © Stephen Parsons, Ridgefield NWR, Washington, December 2011

Similar Species

  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Similar in size and shape to Golden-crowned Kinglet
    • White eye-ring
    • Lacks bold black and yellow markings on crown
    • Overall more olive-green than gray
    • © Bill Benish, Central Park, New York, April 2011

Similar Species