There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula

Appearance:
Tiny bird
Short tail
Greenish-gray upperparts
Pale yellow underparts
White wing-bar, with black bar behind it
Diffuse, bold white eye-ring
Male's ruby crown seen only during courtship and aggression

Listen to its call.


I photographed this Ruby-crowned Kinglet as it flitted back and forth to a suet feeder outside the Nature House at Swan Lake.  This has got to be the cutest bird I've ever seen. It was only about ten centimeters long with a round little body and a fluffy yellow tummy. I just wanted to cuddle it.

 
Learn more about the Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
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