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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: REGULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

One of North America's smallest birds, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet can be recognized by its constant wing-flicking. The male shows its red crown only infrequently.

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Appearance

Chickadeelike
Chickadeelike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Tiny bird.
  • Dull, olive-green.
  • Wingbars.
  • Eyering.
  • Short tail.
  • In constant motion, continually flicking its wings.
  • Male with red crown (usually hidden).

Immature Description

Immature similar to adult.

Range Map Help

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Tiny and chubby
    • Thin, stubby black bill
    • Mostly olive with brighter yellow/green on wings
    • Pale ring around dark eye
    • © Ganesh Jayamaran, Fremont, California, November 2009
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult male
    • Tiny and compact
    • Male raises bright red crest when agitated, normally hidden
    • Olive green overall, brighest on wings
    • Pale ring around dark eye
    • © David Hollie, Ringgold, Georgia, March 2009
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Very small and compact with short, rounded wings
    • Thin black bill
    • Gray-olive overall
    • Darker wings and tail with white and yellow edges
    • © Bob Gunderson, Fremont, California, November 2010
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Very small with rounded head
    • Pale ring around dark eye
    • Thin black bill
    • Olive-gray overall
    • © G.S Vijimeena, San Francisco, California, November 2009
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Tiny and chubby
    • Mostly olive, paler on belly
    • Thin black bill
    • © Cameron Rognan, Arcata, California, January 2007
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult male
    • Very small and compact
    • Gray and olive throughout
    • Small red crown patch on male not always visible
    • Bright yellow edges on dark wings
    • © Bill Benish, Central Park, New York, New York, April 2011
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Ruby-crowned Kinglet

    Adult male
    • Tiny and chubby
    • Small red crown patch sometimes visible on male
    • Olive-gray overall
    • Pale ring around dark eye
    • © Let there be light (Andy), Brazos Bend State Park, Texas, February 2011

Similar Species

  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    Adult
    • Similar in size and shape to Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    • Distinctive facial pattern with black and yellow crown
    • Underparts more gray/white than Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    • © Kelly Colgan Azar, Chester County, Pennsylvania, December 2010
  • Adult
    Zoom In

    Hutton's Vireo

    Adult
    • Slightly larger and stockier than Ruby-crowned Kinglet
    • Thicker bill with hook at tip
    • Thicker blue-gray legs
    • © Ganesh Jayamaran, Palo Alto, California, July 2010