Firecrest

Scientific name:

Regulus ignicappillus

Status:

Resident, local.
UK.

Voice:

They produce a very high pitched “zit, zit,” call lower than goldcrest and song rapid string of calls.

Length:

It is 9 cm in length.

Wingspan:

It lies in between 13-16 cm.

Habitat:

They are less restricted to conifers than goldcrest, lives in gardens scrub, tree heath.

Behaviour:

They are usually active and goes after larger prey, defends territory with loud, penetrating song.

Physical appearance:

Adults are brighter in colour. The most striking feature is striped head. Male has golden orange crown stripe, lined each side with black; black crown stripe of female yellow. In display, male raises crown feathers to reveals astonishing orange fire-crest. Adults of both sexes otherwise similar. Both show white supercilium underlined by black under-striped. Mantle to upper tail coverts bright olive green, tail darker and browner, all under-parts are white. Striking bronze colour patch on the side of the neck. Bills are black while legs are brown.

Juvenile:

Juvenile plumage similar to adults but lack yellow or orange crown. Immature birds on autumn migration have invariably acquired adult-like plumage.