Ruby-crowned kinglet Facts
Ruby-crowned kinglet Facts
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| Interesting Ruby-crowned kinglet Facts: |
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| Ruby-crowned kinglet can reach 3.5 to 4.3 inches in length and 0.2 to 0.4 ounces of weight. |
| Ruby-crowned kinglet has grayish green backs, dark-colored wings covered with two white bars and incomplete white rings around eyes. Under parts are olive to yellowish-brown in color. |
| Males have ruby-red (or rarely yellow-orange) patch that is normally hidden on top of the head. Exposed patch is a symbol of excitement or agitation. |
| Latin name of the ruby-crowned kinglet is "Regulus calendula". Word "regulus" means "small king". It refers to the crown-like red patch on top of the male's head. |
| Ruby-crowned kinglet has thin, pointed bill, anisodactyl feet (three toes are oriented forward, one backwards) and slightly notched tail. |
| Ruby-crowned kinglet is energetic bird which produces rapid wing beats and flies in erratic, swift manner. |
| Ruby-crowned kinglet is an omnivore (it eats plants and meat). Its diet is based on pseudoscorpions, aphids, wasps, beetles, ants and spiders, wild berries, tree sap and seed. |
| Northern population of ruby-crowned kinglet migrates toward the south at the beginning of the autumn. |
| Ruby-crowned kinglet produces loud, complex songs that consist of three parts: high-pitched tune at the beginning, few low trills in the middle and three-note phrase at the end of song. It also produces alarm calls when it detects predators near the nest. |
| Natural enemies of ruby-crowned kinglets are owls, hawks, jays, merlins and squirrels. |
| Mating season of ruby-crowned kinglets starts in May. Ruby-crowned kinglets are monogamous during the mating season, but they mate with different partners each year. |
| Female builds globe-shaped nest high in the trees. Nest is made of grass, roots, moss, spider webs and silk out of cocoons. Construction of the nest usually lasts 5 days, but it needs to be regularly maintained during the nesting season. |
| Despite its small size, female is able to lay up to 12 eggs that can weigh as much as the female. Incubation period lasts 12 to 14 days. Male provides food for female during that period. |
| Ruby-crown kinglets are naked and helpless at birth. They grow quickly and become ready to leave the nest 16 to 18 days after hatching. Young ruby-crowned kinglets reach sexual maturity at the age of one year. |
| Ruby-crown kinglet can survive up to 5 years in the wild. |
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