Yesterday 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.
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.
My son took the Sibley guide off to college, so, the other day when i saw a bright little flash of red hopping around in my russian sage, I knew i was in trouble. Luckily, I got a good look at this little fellow, and was able to identify it after 5 long, grueling hours, on the Cornell website. Lucky for me!
These photos are beautiful, and definitely helped me nail down the identification. Thanks!
I just had an encounter with one of the beautiful little birds, the color or his/her? crown was a beautiful red (almost flourescent). I noticed the bird fluttering around my car when I came outside a couple of days ago and I was delighted when I noticed how close this little bird let me get to it while hovering in the air. 2 hours later I came outside again the bird was hovering around my car again. I followed it and stood underneath the tree it had flown into and talked to it (neighbors probably think I am a crazy lady out talkin to the trees!), when I walked away the bird starting back at me! Today I looked out on my back porch and the same bird was hovering at our sliding glass back door. The little bird went back and forth between flying around and hovering. It then went down to the ground next to the porch (cement slab) and when it did I slowly slid the glass door open and put my are out the door and held my finger. This little bird actually flew up and landed on my finger. How excited I am! Does anyone know if this is normal behavior for a Ruby Crowned Kinglet? I thought at first maybe it was someones pet bird so I looked it up and it is definatley a Ruby Crowned Kinglet.
To Maria Tall, Today my husband and I were in front of a wallgreens here in portland oregon, this morning and We both noriced this cut little bird on the groung by the doors; at first I thought he was hurt but when I got really close to him & he actually let me touch him! I was about o pick him up & he just jump up to the top of the columm and just stayed there looking at us for about 18 minutes, we just talked to him, He was the most beautiful little bird I have ever seen and it was the most amazing experience I have ever had with a bird!! so yes I would say that they are very friendly birds!
I have a pair visiting my feeders in Augusta, Georgia for a month now. The male attacks his reflection in the window on a daily basis. The female just feeds. The male is constantly displaying that crest as he carries on attacks. Then he’ll feed and zoom, back at the window in full attack mode.
I saw a bunch of these birds on a hike today at Jennings Environmental Center in western PA. The flitting and manic nature made for some challenging identification. Lucky for me, a black-capped chickadee was in the area for size reference.
You’ve got some great pictures, what camera were you using..??