The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a small songbird that breeds across Canada and the northern United States. It migrates south for the winter, where it can be found throughout much of the southern and western United States, Mexico and Central America. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is known for its active foraging behavior, constantly fluttering through trees and shrubs in search of insects and spiders. Its tiny size, olive-green plumage and bold white eye ring make this bird stand out. But the real showstopper is the male’s brilliant red crown patch, which is usually concealed but pops into view when he’s agitated or courting a female. Here is some key information on how and where to find the Ruby-crowned Kinglet during breeding season and winter months.
Breeding Range and Habitat
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet breeds in coniferous forests across Alaska, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Northeast and parts of the Appalachian Mountains. It prefers mature forests with dense undergrowth. Some key areas to find Ruby-crowned Kinglets during the spring and summer breeding season include:
- Boreal forests of Alaska and Canada
- Northern Rocky Mountains
- Coastal rainforests of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon
- Mixed deciduous-coniferous forests of New England and eastern Canada
- Spruce-fir forests of the Appalachian Mountains
When searching for Ruby-crowned Kinglets in these breeding areas, listen for their high-pitched, repetitive song and look for movement in the lower branches of evergreen trees. The best times to see the ruby crown displayed are late April through July.
Winter Range and Habitat
In the fall, Ruby-crowned Kinglets migrate south to winter in lower elevations and latitudes. Their winter range extends across much of the southern half of the United States, from coast to coast. Here are some of the best places to spot Ruby-crowned Kinglets in winter:
- Pine-oak woodlands of the Southeastern U.S.
- Pine forests and scrublands of the Gulf Coast
- Desert oases of the Southwest
- Mixed evergreen forests of California
- Woodlands along the Pacific Coast
- Parks and yards with conifers in the southern U.S.
In winter, Ruby-crowned Kinglets forage actively in shrubs and along woodland edges. Listen for high-pitched, repetitive call notes and look for movement low in dense vegetation.
Identification
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is one of the smallest songbirds in North America, measuring only 4 inches long and weighing about 5 grams. Here are some key identification features:
- Bright olive-green upperparts
- Pale underparts with buffy flanks
- Bold white eye ring
- Thin pointed bill
- Constantly moving and fluttering between branches
- Frequently fans and flicks tail
- Male has brilliant red crown patch, usually concealed
The female Ruby-crowned Kinglet lacks the distinctive red crown patch. Juveniles have a black and white crown stripe and pale yellow wash on the underparts.
While foraging, Ruby-crowned Kinglets make repetitive, high-pitched call notes that sound like “tsee-tsee-tsee.” Their song is a series of high, thin, squeaky notes.
Some similar-looking birds include:
- Golden-crowned Kinglet – darker overall with bold yellow and black crown stripe
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – white outer tail feathers, lacks eye ring
- Red-breasted Nuthatch – stockier with shorter tail, black cap
So when you spot a tiny, olive-green songbird fluttering through the trees, look for the bold white eye ring. If you see a pop of red on the crown, you’ve found a Ruby-crowned Kinglet!
Behavior and Ecology
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is constantly in motion as it searches for insect prey, probing into crevices and gleaning from leaves. Here are some interesting facts about its behavior and ecology:
- Almost exclusively eats insects and spiders
- Requires enormous amounts of food due to very rapid metabolism
- Will starve after just 4-6 hours without food
- Frequently joins mixed flocks with chickadees, nuthatches, warblers and kinglets
- Migrates at night in loose flocks
- Male performs flight display, hovering and dipping with ruby crown erect, when courting female
- Builds compact cup nest high in conifer tree, female incubates 3-12 eggs for 14-15 days
- Young leave nest after 16-19 days, are fed by parents for 3 more weeks
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet plays an important ecological role controlling insect pests in coniferous forests across North America.
Conservation Status
According to the 2016 State of North America’s Birds report, Ruby-crowned Kinglet populations are stable or even increasing across most of their range. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 67 million. They are not considered threatened or endangered.
How to Attract Ruby-crowned Kinglets
Here are some tips for attracting Ruby-crowned Kinglets to your yard:
- Plant native conifers like spruce, fir, pine, juniper, redcedar
- Maintain areas with dense shrubs and understory vegetation
- Avoid removing dead trees and branches
- Provide nest boxes with small openings placed high in trees
- Offer suet feeders as high-energy food source
- Supply dripping nectar feeders with small perches
- Utilize birdbaths for drinking and bathing
With their acrobatic movements, energetic behavior and brilliant ruby crown, these little songbirds bring excitement to backyards and forests across the country. Get out and explore some coniferous woodlands this season to spot one of these active, adorable kinglets!
Conclusion
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet can be found breeding in mature conifer forests across Canada and the northern U.S. In winter, it migrates across much of the southern half of the U.S. and as far south as Central America. Search for this tiny, olive-green songbird fluttering actively in shrubs and trees, listening for its repetitive, high-pitched call notes. With field marks like a bold white eye ring, constantly twitching tail and the male’s red crown patch, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a charming sight during backyard birding and nature hikes. Provide insect-rich habitat with dense understory vegetation in order to attract and support Ruby-crowned Kinglets and other insect-eating songbirds.