Golden-crowned Kinglet —Ross Feldner

This tiny, hyperactive bird is one the smallest perching birds in the world with a weight about equal to two pennies. Its genus name Regulus translates to “little king”, a reference to its golden colored head feathers. These feathers will be raised when kinglets are alarmed making a "back-off!” punky mohawk of orange and yellow.

Golden-crowned Kinglets remain in the U.S. during winter and are able to find enough insects by constant foraging. Always in motion, they forage high in the woods and low near the ground.

You may hear this bird’s reedy "seet-seet-seet" call while it hops from branch to branch often hanging upside down in search of prey. Kinglets can also pick off flying insects on the wing. This unceasing activity is a must since they have to eat constantly to maintain body temperature and metabolism, both of which help combat the cold.