Eight Shots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets
By Corey • October 19, 2008 • 12 commentsYesterday I took a long walk across several parks in Queens looking for birds. And while many species crossed my path, none were as endearing nor as energetic as the numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) that seemed to be everywhere. Not only were they everywhere but they were fearless as well! Several times one would perch or forage within inches and a couple of times one hovered in front of my face as if it were going to hoverglean from my nose! After getting home and uploading the more than one hundred pictures that I took I was rather surprised to find out that I did not get a single shot that gave any hint of their namesake ruby crown. Nonetheless, I was pleased with the results I got photographing the four-and-a-quarter inch birds, and I hope you are too…
This post has been submitted to Bird Photography Weekly #8. Go check it out!
We were banding these birds yesterday (see http://ruthvenpark.ca/natureblog/) and I thought you might be interested to know that they also weigh in at less than 10 g per bird.
Awesome shots, did they scratch your lens by being that close?
Cheers, Klaus
@Pete: They are tiny, aren’t they?
@Klaus: Thanks…and, no, they didn’t scratch my lens, but not for lack of trying!
Wow, you can count each fluffy feather.
The one with semi spread wings is just an incredible shot with great light and colour.
Wow Corey, great captures of the highly energetic, never stopping, Ruby-crowned Kinglet. One of my all time favorite birds! I am still waiting to see my first little guy this fall but I know they’re on their way. Better chances of seeing that beautiful red crown in the spring during mating. My friend Doug Greenberg got a good shot of that illusive ruby crown that I posted last Christmas Day (at http://www.thebirdersreport.com/wild-birds/bird-sightings/the-ruby-crowned-kinglet-never-sits-still )
Thanks for sharing your super close ups! I love the 5th one with the super feather detail. Just amazing!
Great! These little guys eluded me for a while when I saw them around on campus (i.e. UC, San Diego). I thought that they were some vireos until I asked an experienced birder.
[...] of 10,000 birds has some incredible photos of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. And I don’t just mean good. I mean [...]
Great shots!
We spotted a male and female hanging around out angel trumpet plants for the last week in Houston, Texas. This is the first time we have seen these birds.
Cutest birds ever!
I can’t believe how energetic these birds are - I swear they’re on ’speed’ of some sort. Such quick movements & never still for a second.
I was puzzled as to what bird they were when I first saw them. But after a gust of wind, the feathers were lifted on the top of their heads & I caught that tiny ruby red spot. Makes me think a better name for them would be Red Crowned (Well Hidden) Kinglets!
We have a pair, male and female, hanging around our yard in Northridge, California this week, (2/7/10), the mail keeps trying to chase off its rival, which is its own reflection in the windows, so its red crown is prominently displayed in this mode. Very beautiful and melodic. The female is diligently bug and grub hunting on the leaves and trees in the yard. Very cute.