Golden-crowned Kinglet
The Golden-crowned Kinglet was recorded at Salter Grove for the first time in October 2021 on top of the huge eastern red cedar in Audubon Field. It likely has visited the park before but it would have been easy to miss since it is barely larger than the tiny Ruby-throated Hummingbird and prefers to be hidden in the dense foliage of tall conifers. Learning its thin and high-pitched call notes may lead to more frequent observations in the future. Of course, this would be true for all bird species.
It primarily breeds in dense boreal or montane coniferous forests across southern Canada, and the northern and western regions of the United States. However, its breeding range has expanded into eastern and more southerly states in recent years due to successful spruce reforestation programs.
Despite the ability to survive temperatures as low as -40°F, Golden-crowned Kinglets in the northern part of their breeding range migrate south. At issue is the availability of food to maintain the high metabolic rate that fuels their cold tolerance. They must feed constantly on insects, insect eggs, spiders and other invertebrates and would starve to death after just a few hours without food. Coastal and southern Kinglets are permanent residents at localities where food is available year round.
The tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet can be distinguished from the slightly larger Ruby-crowned Kinglet as follows. The Golden-crowned Kinglet has black and white stripes on its face whereas the Ruby-crowned Kinglet has a prominent broken eyering on a plain face. Both male and female Golden-crowned Kinglets have a golden crown and the male additionally has a central orange patch. In comparison, only the male Ruby-crowned Kinglet has the bright red crown of its name.
The two Kinglets are also behaviorally distinct in how they forage for insects. The Golden-crowned is more likely to hang upside down from the tips of twigs as it gleans for insect while the Ruby-crowned is more prone to hover or fly out to catch insects on the wing.