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Ruby-crowned kinglet

The Ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is a diminutive bird in the family Regulidae, renowned for its boundless energy and intricate foraging habits across North American woodlands. This tiny measures 9–11 cm in length, weighs 5–9.7 g, and spans 17–19 cm across the wings, with olive-green upperparts, pale underparts, a bold white eye-ring, and two white wing bars accented by darker edges. Males are distinguished by a concealed crown patch—occasionally yellow, orange, or absent—that flares vividly during territorial displays or agitation, while females lack this feature. Its high-pitched, jumbled song and constant wing-flicking motion make it a lively presence in its habitat, despite its sparrow-sized frame. Native to northern and western regions, the ruby-crowned kinglet breeds in coniferous forests of , , , and similar trees, ranging from and most of southward through the to the northern and elevated western areas up to 3,000 m in elevation. During , which peaks in and , it traverses diverse habitats including and mixed woodlands, arriving earlier in fall and later in spring compared to its close relative, the . In winter, it shifts to more varied settings such as open woods, streamside thickets, brush, and suburban yards across the southeastern and , extending to and . This migratory pattern supports a widespread , with an estimated global breeding population of 100 million individuals showing increasing trends overall (as of 2019–2023 data), though slight declines have been noted in some eastern populations. Behaviorally, the ruby-crowned kinglet is a hyperactive gleaner and hoverer, tirelessly probing foliage and branches for like , flies, caterpillars, and scale , supplemented by spiders, berries, seeds, and tree sap. Breeding pairs construct elaborate, pouch-like nests from moss, lichens, and feathers, suspended 12–27 m high in branches, where the female lays 5–12 eggs—remarkably the largest clutch relative to body size among North American songbirds—and incubates them for 12–14 days. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, the species faces no major threats but can experience fluctuations from severe winters; its adaptability and underscore its resilience in and temperate ecosystems.

Taxonomy

Classification

The ruby-crowned kinglet belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, and family Regulidae. Its scientific name is Corthylio calendula (Linnaeus, 1766), with the historical synonym Regulus calendula. The genus name Corthylio derives from the Ancient Greek korthúlos, referring to a small wren-like bird. The specific epithet calendula is a Latin substantive possibly formed from the gerund of the verb caleo (meaning "I am warm," from calidus, "warm" or "hot") or, more likely, from the name of the marigold plant Calendula, which was believed to bloom every month of the year (from calendae, the first day of the month); Linnaeus likely chose it to evoke the bird's bright red crown patch. The common name "kinglet" originates from the Latin regulus, meaning "little king" or "prince," alluding to the colorful crown feathers resembling a royal crown. Originally described as Motacilla calendula by in 1766, the species was later placed in the genus with other kinglets. In 1853, German ornithologist Jean Cabanis proposed the monotypic genus Corthylio for the ruby-crowned kinglet, recognizing its distinctiveness from Old World species based on . The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) briefly adopted Corthylio in its 1931 Check-list but reverted to in subsequent editions due to limited evidence. Phylogenetic studies in the early 2000s, using mitochondrial DNA sequences, revealed that the ruby-crowned kinglet is deeply divergent from other Regulus species and more closely related to Old World leaf warblers in the family Phylloscopidae than to the golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa). These molecular findings, combined with longstanding morphological and vocal differences (such as unique nest-building behaviors and song structure), supported the resurrection of Corthylio as a monotypic genus. In 2021, the American Ornithological Society formally approved this change in its Sixty-second Supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds, establishing Corthylio calendula as the current classification.

Subspecies

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio ) is recognized as comprising three , distinguished primarily by variations in tone, size, and geographic distribution, with no substantial genetic differences indicating separate status. The nominate , C. c. (Linnaeus, 1766), is characterized by paler olive-gray and larger body size compared to other forms. It breeds across much of northern and interior , from northwest eastward through to Newfoundland and southward along the to the northern . Populations of this subspecies are largely migratory, wintering from the southern to . C. c. grinnelli (Palmer, 1897) exhibits darker, grayer upperparts with richer greenish tones on the back and rump, a stronger ochraceous-buff wash on the underparts, and smaller overall size. This is distributed along the , breeding from through coastal to . Unlike the other , C. c. grinnelli includes non-migratory populations in the , though some individuals move southward in winter. The subspecies C. c. obscurus (Ridgway, 1882) was notably darker with brownish-tinged plumage and a pinkish (rather than ruby-red) crown patch in males, along with smaller size; it represented an isolated island form. Historically confined to the cypress groves of off , , it became extinct by the mid-20th century, with the last confirmed sightings in 1953 and no detections during surveys in 2000. These were described in the late 19th and early 20th centuries based on morphological and geographic criteria, and their has remained stable without evidence of further splits.

Description

Physical characteristics

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is one of North America's smallest songbirds, measuring 9–11 in length with a wingspan of 16–18 and weighing 5–10 g. It has a compact build with a large head, short , and thin, often cocked . The bill is small, thin, and straight, adapted for insects, while the legs are pale yellowish. Adults exhibit olive-green upperparts and yellowish underparts, with a bold white eye-ring that is incomplete or broken at the top. The wings feature two white bars—the upper one broad and the lower one narrower—separated by a black bar adjacent to the upper wing bar, creating a distinctive contrast. is subtle; males possess a hidden ruby-red crown patch that can be raised and displayed when agitated or during , while females lack this patch or show only a faint yellow tinge. Juveniles are duller overall, appearing browner than adults with buffy wing bars and an incomplete eye-ring; they undergo a partial preformative molt shortly after fledging. A key field identification feature is the bird's hyperactive behavior, including frequent wing-flicking and tail-cocking while . Adults complete a full post-breeding (prebasic) molt in late summer, replacing all and body , followed by a limited or absent pre-breeding (prealternate) molt that primarily affects the head and body feathers.

Vocalizations

The song of the ruby-crowned kinglet is a lively, bubbling warble that lasts approximately 3–5 seconds and consists of 10–20 high-pitched notes, often structured in three parts: an initial series of accelerating high notes, followed by low trills, and ending with a rapid, jumbled warble that builds to a loud, buzzy crescendo including "zree" sounds and ascending trills. This remarkably loud output for such a small (about 8–10 g) spans frequencies primarily from 4–8 kHz, with some notes reaching up to 15 kHz, and is delivered from high perches at rates averaging 1.6 songs per minute but up to 4.8 songs per minute during peak breeding activity. Songs exhibit regional dialects, particularly in the final phrase (Unit C), with 43 identified types varying by breeding area—eastern populations favor certain buzzy elements, while western ones (e.g., subspecies grinnellii) emphasize different trills—suggesting cultural transmission through learning rather than innate production. The ruby-crowned kinglet's calls include a sharp, two-part "jidit" or "tsee-tsee" note used for , contact, and pair communication, often given by both sexes while or during . A harsher chattering scold or long series of short, buzzy notes signals or disturbance, sometimes accompanying physical displays like wing-flicking when agitated. Females may produce a subdued version of the , consisting of 2–3 high "zee" notes followed by "turr" trills, primarily in reproductive contexts. Males sing year-round to defend territories and attract mates, with increased complexity and frequency (peaking 2–3 hours after dawn during ) serving to advertise fitness and deter rivals, while both sexes use calls for coordination during and predator avoidance. variations may reinforce local breeding boundaries and influence .

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The ruby-crowned kinglet breeds across much of and , extending southward into the , including the from to , the , and the northern Appalachians. During winter, the species ranges across the from the mid-Atlantic states and southward, through to in , though it is rare in northern states. As a long-distance , the ruby-crowned kinglet travels via eastern and western flyways, with fall occurring from to and spring from to May; vagrants have been recorded in , such as and the . The global population is estimated at approximately 100 million mature individuals and remains stable as of 2019 assessments. Three subspecies are recognized: C. c. calendula in the east, C. c. grinnelli in the west, and the extinct C. c. obscurus from the (Queen Charlotte Islands); the first two show broadly overlapping distributions within these ranges.

Habitat preferences

The ruby-crowned kinglet prefers mature coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by , , , and Douglas-fir, for breeding, often in mixed woodlands with a dense that provides suitable nesting sites. These habitats occur across boreal regions and higher elevations from to approximately 3,000 meters, where the bird selects undisturbed areas with tall trees for concealment and protection. During the non-breeding season, the species occupies a broader array of habitats, including deciduous woodlands, shrublands, thickets, and edge environments, showing a reduced preference for coniferous stands compared to breeding areas. It tolerates urban parks and suburban gardens, foraging in varied settings such as floodplain forests and streamside thickets, which offer ample insect resources during winter. Within these microhabitats, the kinglet typically forages in the mid- to upper canopy layers of trees, while nests are placed on conifer branches 3 to 30 meters above ground during breeding, often suspended from hanging twigs amid dense foliage. Logging in boreal and montane forests poses a significant threat by fragmenting and reducing suitable breeding habitats, leading to population declines in affected areas, as the species favors intact, undisturbed conifer stands. To cope with cold conditions in northern breeding grounds, the ruby-crowned kinglet relies on a high metabolic rate that supports constant and , enabling survival in subfreezing temperatures; in winter, it shifts to more sheltered edge habitats for added protection.

Behavior and ecology

Foraging and diet

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) primarily feeds on small arthropods, with and spiders forming the bulk of its across seasons. Stomach content analyses reveal that matter comprises approximately 94% of its intake, dominated by hymenopterans such as wasps and (32%), hemipterans including and true bugs (26%), dipterans like flies (17%), coleopterans such as bark beetles (13%), lepidopterans including caterpillars (3%), and spiders with (2%). Other common prey includes leafhoppers, eggs, and occasional or from flowers. Vegetable matter accounts for roughly 6%, consisting of berries (e.g., from poison-oak, dogwood, or ) and seeds. Seasonal shifts in diet reflect prey availability, with dominating in summer areas of coniferous forests, where arthropods provide essential protein, including spiders for nestlings. In winter, the proportion of fruits and rises to 10-20% in deciduous and mixed woodlands, supplementing scarcer while the maintains a primarily arthropod-based intake. This hyperactive species exhibits high energy demands due to its small size (about 8-10 g) and constant activity, requiring near-continuous to meet metabolic needs estimated at around 10 kcal daily for maintenance alone. Foraging occurs at all forest levels, from treetops to low brush, with the bird actively (about 80% of movements) from foliage, twigs, and while hopping or fluttering. It hovers briefly at leaf tips to peck or snatch prey (18% of movements), resembling behavior, and occasionally pursues flying mid-air. Ruby-crowned kinglets typically forage in pairs or small groups during but join mixed-species flocks with chickadees, titmice, and in winter, occupying complementary niches with low competition (niche overlap ~0.90 but minimal aggression). Active wing-flicking often flushes hidden prey from cover.

Reproduction

The ruby-crowned kinglet breeds once per year during the summer months, typically from May to July in northern regions of , though the season can extend to August in some areas. Pairs form monogamously upon arrival at breeding grounds, remaining together for approximately two months until the young . If a nesting attempt fails early in the season due to predation or other factors, the pair may attempt a second clutch, but they generally raise only one successful brood annually. Courtship involves vigorous singing by males to establish territories and attract mates, often accompanied by displays where the male crouches horizontally, flutters his wings, raises his ruby crown patch, and hops with his tail elevated. Females respond by fluttering their wings, leading to copulation typically hidden behind vegetation. The female constructs the nest alone over about five days, forming a hanging, pouch-like structure approximately 4 inches wide and 5-6 inches deep, suspended from branches up to 100 feet high. The nest is built primarily from mosses, lichens, grasses, , and fur or feathers for lining, with a side entrance and an interior that expands to accommodate the brood. She lays 5-12 eggs— the largest clutch relative to body size among North American songbirds—over 8-12 days; the eggs are white to off-white, oval-shaped, and marked with reddish-brown spots. The female incubates the eggs for 12-14 days, beginning after the last egg is laid, while the male brings food to her at the nest. Upon , the altricial young are naked and helpless; both parents feed them primarily by regurgitation of , with the female brooding them initially and the male providing most early meals. The nestlings after 14-19 days, though overall nesting success varies with predation and weather. The average lifespan of ruby-crowned kinglets is 1-2 years due to high annual mortality rates, but individuals can live up to 8-9 years in the wild. This productivity supports stable populations despite the challenges of their migratory lifestyle and small size.

Migration

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is a long-distance Neotropical migrant for most of its populations, departing breeding grounds in northern and montane coniferous forests after the post-breeding period in late summer and returning in spring ahead of breeding activities. Northern and eastern birds travel southward to winter in the southern United States, Mexico, and northern Central America, often covering thousands of kilometers along broad fronts rather than strict flyways. Western populations, however, frequently engage in shorter altitudinal migration, descending to lower elevations in the same region during winter rather than undertaking full long-distance journeys. Migration timing shows distinct patterns, with fall departure typically beginning in late August to early September and peaking in October across much of , while spring return peaks in April. Females initiate fall migration earlier than males by about 7 days on average, allowing them to reach wintering areas first, whereas males lead spring migration by 8–15 days to secure territories, with juveniles often preceding adults in fall. Flights are predominantly nocturnal, especially during fall, facilitating energy-efficient travel but exposing birds to collision risks with human structures; migrants make stopovers in diverse woodlands and thickets to forage on and build fat reserves essential for sustained flight. Spring migration proceeds at an average pace of approximately 83 km per day, though this encompasses both flight and resting periods. During transit, ruby-crowned kinglets travel solitarily or in small family groups, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks with other insectivores for efficiency, though they do not form large monospecific flocks. Adults, particularly after-hatch-year females in fall, accumulate higher visible subcutaneous scores (e.g., up to 2.9 on a 0–3 scale) compared to juveniles (around 2.0), supporting longer non-stop segments of . The C. c. grinnelli, found along the from southern to , is largely resident year-round, with minimal migratory movement. Migratory challenges include severe weather events, such as harsh winters that can cause mass mortality on wintering grounds, and predation pressures during stopovers. Nocturnal flights contribute to significant collision fatalities, with large numbers killed annually at communication towers and windows, particularly in fall; outdoor cats also pose a threat at stopover sites. Juveniles face especially high risks during their inaugural and first winter, contributing to overall low annual survival rates typical of small passerines, though exact figures vary by region and year.

Conservation status

The ruby-crowned kinglet is classified as Least Concern on the . The global population is estimated at 100 million mature individuals as of 2019. Overall population trends are increasing, with a 23% rise over the decade prior to 2018 according to North American Breeding Bird Survey data, though some eastern populations have shown slight declines. The species faces no major threats but experiences population fluctuations due to severe winters.

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