Bird Guide

Goldcrest vs Golden-crowned Kinglet

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

Goldcrest

Regulus regulus

Tiny6 gForest

The goldcrest is the smallest European bird, 8.5–9.5 cm (3.3–3.7 in) in length, with a 13.5–15.5 cm (5.3–6.1 in) wingspan and a weight of 4.5–7.0 g (0.16–0.25 oz). It is similar in appearance to a warbler, with olive-green upper-parts, buff-white underparts, two white wing bars, and a plain face with conspicuous black irises. The crown of the head has black sides and a narrow black front, and a bright crest, yellow with an orange centre in the male, and entirely yellow in the female; the crest is erected in display, making the distinctive orange stripe of the male much more conspicuous. Voice: The typical contact call of the goldcrest is a thin, high-pitched zee given at intervals of 1–4 seconds, with all the notes at the same pitch. It sometimes has a more clipped ending, or is delivered more rapidly. The call is higher and less rough than that of the firecrest.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Goldcrest
Recorded by Christian Kahle · Schneverdingen, Germany · CC0
Photo: Edoardo Nardelli · CC BY 4.0
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa

Tiny6 gForest

Adults are olive-gray on the upperparts with white underparts, thin bills and short tails. They have white wing bars, a black stripe through the eyes and a yellow crown surrounded by black. The adult male has an orange patch in the middle of the yellow crown. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but with a browner back and without the yellow crown. This is one of the smallest passerines in North America. Its length, at 8 to 11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 in), is probably the shortest of any American passerine. Its weight, averaging 6.1 g (0.22 oz) for females and 6.3 g (0.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Golden-crowned Kinglet
Recorded by Doug Hynes · Song · Port L'Hebert Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Nova Scotia, Canada · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: GlacierNPS · Public domain

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Goldcrest and Golden-crowned Kinglet.