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"While continuing to prepare this little patch of space for spring, all of the tiny winter birds I expected this season have been present and accounted for. Most of these little guys have made themselves at home, and of course I am leaving the garden gate wide open for some new faces with beaks on them. Wonder who else will show up before spring is here..."
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 Since the Ruby-crowned Kinglets migrated back north last winter I had a certain feeling of reassurance they would return again. By then I was already steeped in sowing seeds and installing plants making the garden ready for spring. I had already braced myself, and knew they would be going back north to breed again as the frost subsided. It has been a sweet and hopeful thought every year as they left that they would come back, and they did.  By springtime they will be heading back to the high canopied forests of north and western North America to prepare for their young.
It was January 14, 2008, when Ruby-crowned Kinglet came here for another winter. At first he zipped down to inspect the tiny heated pond and watched curiously as an Orange-crowned Warbler took a nice warm bath. Then after careful inspection he decided to take a dip himself. Then he quickly flitted into the nearby rose bush to preen himself. That is when I clearly saw the infamous ruby crown and was finally able to get a picture! Several of these little guys visited here in winters past, and I had clearly observed the ruby crown only once in all of those times.
   Some of you already know, though I will give perspective to others of just how tiny this Kinglet is. They measure 4 – 4.25 inches or 8 – 11 centimeters in length. The average weight of an individual is around 5-10 grams. In comparison nearest in size to the hummingbird, which can measure between three and five inches long depending on the species. The Ruby-throated hummingbird measures an average of 3.75 – 4” or around 8 cm. in length. So Kinglet is one of North America's tiniest (and most adorable) birds.     Kinglets may be short in stature, yet never short of personality. They are in an almost constant state of motion during the daytime. Always flicking their wings very rapidly. Another part of their charm is that they are very unobtrusive. They are able to hover and snatch small insects right out of the air. Most often they fly in an undulating path, however I have watched Kinglet use one eye spiraling up in an approach to a feeder. This is much like the approach of a Peregrine Falcon on it's prey, possibly because both have monocular vision[1]. Unlike most animals with monocular vision, both birds have keen vision using one eye at a time. Kinglet displays much of the same fortitude as the Peregrine, and that is only one reason why I refer to them as "a big bird in a tiny little bird suit."  With satisfactory habitat the female Kinglet can produce a very large clutch of eggs. At close to a dozen, the largest clutch of all the North American passerine birds of its size. Although the eggs themselves weigh only 0.65 g (0.02 oz.) each, an entire clutch can weigh as much as the female herself. She prefers to build her nests in tall trees at least 15 - 30 feet off the ground. She places the materials right where the branch meets the trunk of the tree. The male Kinglets are not normally known to be involved with nest building, however "both parents tend the young while they are in the nest and for a period after fledging. Young leave the nest about 16 days after fledging. Male continues to feed the young for another 10 days, but female may leave the breeding territory. They raise only one brood a year."[2]
In winter their habitat can be fairly diverse as they leap-frog around in the lower North American thickets with other small birds[3] until they find suitable food and safe lodging. Then they (more or less) settle down and stay until it warms back up in the northern US and Canada where they live and breed. Seems they like it “just right”, not too hot or too cold. Their diet consists mostly of small insects such as; flies, wasps, beetles, spiders, and insect's eggs, especially those which are stuck to the undersides of leaves and twigs. In winter, they also eat a few seeds, sap, and berries from wax myrtles, poison ivy and red cedar.[2] They seem to stay here for the fresh insect suet, a few evergreen shrubs, trees with berries, and sugar water. The micro-pond[4] seems to be working fairly well also.  Their song is very recognizable too, and once heard you just have to look up to find them behind the distinct and voluminous sound they make. Their curiosity is greater than their fear, and rivals that of the European Robin which are known to follow a gardener all around the yard from various low branches watching any work get done. Perhaps to grab something stirred up within the ruffled ground, or just being extremely curious. Though unlike Robin, they really prefer to stay off the ground.
Although the conservation status states “low concern” or “common”, in some places they are very sparse or on the decline. So I write this article in hope of bringing awareness to gardeners who can prevent them from becoming endangered. Maybe just the awareness and appreciation is enough for now. Some of you may have had them in your garden and just never noticed before. So perhaps a few more North Americans may know a little more of what to look for. Keeping in touch with local gardeners, the wildlife conscious, and birders has always been a delightful way to stay in touch with the community.
 Most of all we would love to hear your accounts of the Kinglet and all the other birds where you live, so please post them in the Bird Watching Forum here on Dave's. The forum celebrated its first anniversary as of January 1, 2008, and it's already proven to be a very lively and friendly place, with daily first hand reports and photos of birds from all over the world. I really do hope to see you there!
Where are you on their map? Ruby-crowned Kinglet Distribution Map
Hyperlinks to more Kinglet pictures by Dave's members> Last winter Dave's Garden member Charles Lentz (linthicum) took this excellent photo of RCKL revealing the crown, and since then he has taken several more. Sheila Franklin (SheilaFW) also posted a pic (TX5) with the crown showing! Other fine members have posted their great shots too. Kinglet has been spotted and/or photographed by DG members from Alaska, Oregon, OR2, California, Texas, TX2, TX3, TX4, TX5, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland. These photographer/bird watchers will tell you that they are not the easiest subject to catch being still, however certainly worth all the time it takes. Footnotes: 1. Monocular vision occurs when the eyes are placed on the sides of the head. Each eye sees a different image. The advantage here is the field of vision greatly increases, so that the bird can see danger from both sides.
http://wings.avkids.com/Book/Animals/instructor/birds-01.html
2. Food habits/Habitat/Breeding, from: http://www.oiseaux.net/birds/ruby-crowned.kinglet.html
3. Other small birds including Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Vireos, Gnatcatchers, and any number of similar sized species of which eat the same foods.
4. Micro pond- A shallow tub recessed into the ground with circulating water and a simple aquarium heater.
 | Debnes has been retired since her youngest of 4 was born. Now she has spent any spare moments researching every sort of life in the garden. Furthermore writing for about 10 years, on subjects of faith, plants, and wildlife, and it all revolves around the garden. In the process of pursuing several of her life's passions, she found some real treasures in practical every day life. It's where she confirmed that everything on earth, be it thought or matter, sows a seed. |
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Subject: Aren't They Adorable?
Posted by TexasTam (from Plano, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 5:23 PM:Great article, Deb. I have a Kinglet that comes to my suet feeders every winter here in TX. The only time I spotted his ruby crown was when he saw a reflection of himself in my kitchen window and got mad! He is quite tame otherwise - will stay in the tree just above my head when I go out to refill the feeders. ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 8:27 PM: Thx Tam!
I am so glad to hear other people's accounts of the kinglet. I know they are too wide spread, and yes, to adorable to be missed. You're right how they come down close to watch from the tree, very curious!
debnes ...
Subject: Thank You!
Posted by DMurray407 (from Buffalo, MN) on January 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM:Deb, thank you for a beautifully written, informative article!
Great job!
Deb(one of the many other "Deb's"!) ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 20, 2008 at 2:15 PM: Thank you very much Deb!
Maybe you can watch for them migrating through MN in May. I bet you get a lot of migratory birds that time of year going up to Canada. My guess is they are easy to miss unless ppl know what to look for. Please let me know if you do!
debnes ...
Subject: Get Interested in Bird Watching...
Posted by Sheila_FW (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 9:30 AM:Deb you have done it again! This is a fantastic article with great information and photos!
I hope that anyone (like me) that is wating for spring to roll around will start paying attention to the feathered beauties that have taken center stage in our barren gardens and trees. Put out a handfull of seed on top of the snow, place some peanuts on a deck railing. The simplest steps of hanging a suet feeder will bring such joy and photo opportunities. Here is one from a simple 2 x 4" with holes drilled for the peanut butter suet, this Downy Woodpecker loves it. Want a reciepe for suet? You will find it by joining us on the bird watching forum. Get great information and learn what others have going on in their area during winter months.
Again a super article Deb, very enjoyable!!
Sheila_FW ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 AM: Thank you Sheila!
I linked to the pics you and H took of the RCKL..:-) According to the map everyone can see them at different times during the year. I hope folks will really look for them.
debnes ... Posted by Lily_love (from Vincent, AL) on January 19, 2008 at 5:49 PM: Add me to your list of fan. Well written article Deb. And as always informative, inspirational, and I like your quote on your profile.
Kim ... Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 5:50 PM: Great article Deb!, your love of nature and creatures shows all over the place.
Josephine. ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 9:00 PM: Thanks Kim and Josephine!
Very sweet words! This conservation business is very rewarding in of itself. Being able to share the appreciation with wonderful folks like you... Priceless!
Be on the look-out for these little guys until the end of March. I hope you keep your cameras handy!
debnes ...
Subject: Wonderful Article!
Posted by pelletory (from Marlton, NJ) on January 19, 2008 at 7:46 AM:Thanks Deb! Very informative and beautifully written! ... Posted by svplantingfool (from South Venice, FL) on January 19, 2008 at 8:35 AM: What a nice read Deb, thank you! I've never heard of (or seen) this tiny little bird, but now that I am aware of it, I'll be looking!
... Posted by nanny_56 (from Putnam County, IN) on January 19, 2008 at 8:36 AM: Very nice article! Informative and I love the links you included for more information! ... Posted by sadie_mae (from Central, KY) on January 19, 2008 at 8:54 AM: That was a really great article Deb, I enjoyed it very much! ... Posted by mellielong (from Lutz, FL) on January 19, 2008 at 9:14 AM: I've never been much of a bird watcher, but I'll have to start paying more attention! Very interesting article and now I can say I learned something new today.
Melanie ... Posted by sallyg (from Millersville, MD) on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 AM: That was very nice. I know they are not rare in my backyard, but they stay pretty well hidden, I guess. ... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 9:47 AM: Thanks everyone! ... and Pelle for starting the posts off :-)
I am gobsmaked by this little bird.. You all should surely see them at various times. A tiny flicking out of the corner of your eye, and then face to face. I hope to find out more from DGers as to when and where Kinglet shows up. They are so much fun to watch!
debnes
... Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on January 19, 2008 at 10:33 AM: Thanks for the great article. Don't know that I've ever seen one, but now I'll be more alert and keep watching. :) ... Posted by darius (from Appalachian Mtns, VA) on January 19, 2008 at 10:36 AM: Wonderful! I may have seen this little guy in my garden... I'll have to pay closer inspection. Maybe even become a birdwatcher! ... Posted by linthicum (from Linthicum Heights, MD) on January 19, 2008 at 10:38 AM: Hi Deb,
Excellent article ! Your writing skill shines through loud and clear. And, thank you for including some of my Ruby-crowned Kinglet (RCK) photos. When I encounter a flock of RCK's, I become obsessed with trying to photograph them. On a few occasions, I've spent an hour or more at one site just trying to capture a moving object. It's not easy (but I love the challenge) with a 500mm zoom lens. Sometimes one does get lucky ......
I look forward to more of your effectively written articles. ... Posted by jataylor (from Marble Falls, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 10:41 AM: good job Deb :o)
james t ... Posted by beckygardener (from Sebastian, FL) on January 19, 2008 at 12:14 PM: Awesome article, Deb! You just educated me on a bird I knew little about. I shall be looking a little closer at the birds in my yard now. Perhaps they are here in my area and I just didn't know to look for them. Thanks, too, for including the links in your article. I very much enjoyed it! Keep up the good work in your writing of articles for DG! I look forward to future articles! ... Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on January 19, 2008 at 5:14 PM: The writing was interesting and informative,,,I learned a lot. But the pictures!!!! Oh my!!! What a great job debnes...fantastic!
Yokwe,
Shari ... Posted by ceejaytown (from The Woodlands, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 7:44 PM: Good article, Deb. Very informative indeed. I have seen them in the past, but I'm gonna start looking harder for them. Wonderful photo, Linthicum!!!
But I had to laugh at the bio which stated "retired since her youngest of 4 was born". I'll bet retired doesn't exactly describe your life...
... Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on January 19, 2008 at 8:53 PM: Thank you all so much!!
I hope to deflect the attention to these little birds that are so well mannered that they hardly get noticed. I am sure that in bringing awareness folks might have a better chance of seeing them, and know what they are seeing. They are so fascinating!
Charlie~ I know what you mean about waiting hours and taking pics of everything that moves. (done that!)
Your photography is superb!
Thanks to all of you who had pictures posted in the forums, I just had to include them somehow, and found a way to work it. I truly appreciate your dedication to the conservation of wildlife and birds.
LOL CJ~ You're right! With two teeners and one 9 year old things do stay lively around here, and thank God I don't have to miss any of it. I can be here when they get home from school, etc. It does give me a chance to do the work of conservation, which is my heart.
debnes
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