Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
Despite weighing no more than a U.S. nickel, these tiny birds can survive winter temperatures far below freezing by huddling together in dense foliage.
- Scientific name
- Regulus satrapa
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Regulidae › Regulus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Coniferous and mixed forests, particularly spruce, fir, and hemlock stands.
- Diet
- Insects, spiders, insect eggs, and occasionally tree sap.
- Range
- North America, Canada, United States, Mexico
- Size
- 8 to 11 cm in length, weighing 4 to 8 grams
- Lifespan
- 3-4 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation of mature coniferous forests, window collisions during migration, and extreme winter weather events.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These tiny birds are highly active and generally ignore humans. Observe from a safe distance of 5-10 feet using binoculars to avoid disrupting their constant foraging. If you find an injured kinglet, gently place it in a ventilated box and contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
The golden-crowned kinglet ( Regulus satrapa ) is a very small songbird.
Photo: skitterbug, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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