Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Corthylio calendula
Call and song
Recording 1 · song
Recording 2
Recording 3
About the Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Tiny, hyperactive songbird with an uneven white eyering. Plain olive overall, with slightly brighter greenish edges on the wing and tail feathers. The namesake ruby crown is only present on males, and usually concealed. When agitated, it can be flared up into a bright expressive crest. Breeds in coniferous forests. In migration and winter, found in basically any wooded habitat, including deciduous forests, shrubby woodland, and field edges. Often forages quite low to the ground, sometimes joining mixed flocks of other songbirds. Energetic, moving quickly and flicking its wings. Listen for short, harsh call notes, usually doubled, and surprisingly loud song for such a small bird. Compare with Hutton’s Vireo, which is similar in plumage but has a thicker bill and forages more sluggishly.
Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made
Where it has been recorded
Recorded in 13 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.
