Goldcrest
Regulus regulus
The Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is a common kinglet found in 77 countries, weighing about 6 g. The goldcrest is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family.
About the Goldcrest
The goldcrest is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. Its colourful golden crest feathers, as well as being called the "king of the birds" in European folklore, gives rise to its English and scientific names. The scientific name, R. regulus, means 'petty king' or prince. Several subspecies are recognised across the very large distribution range that includes much of the Palearctic and the islands of Macaronesia and Iceland. Birds from the north and east of its breeding range migrate to winter further south.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Goldcrest sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Gibraltar.
When to see it
Best months: January, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Goldcrest?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Goldcrest?
- The Goldcrest is a tiny sized bird weighing about 6 g.
- Where can you see a Goldcrest?
- The Goldcrest occurs in 77 countries, including Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, Norway and France.
- What does a Goldcrest sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Goldcrest on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Goldcrest?
- The Goldcrest is most easily confused with the Golden-crowned Kinglet, the Common Firecrest and the Flamecrest.
- Is the Goldcrest endangered?
- The Goldcrest is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Goldcrest for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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