Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa

Appearance:
Tiny songbird
Short, notched tail
Thin, black bill
Olive-grey above
Greyish-white below
Two white wing-bars
Dark flight feathers with golden edging
Broad, white eyebrow
Black-striped crown
Yellow crown center (female)
Orange crown center (male)
Black legs
Yellow feet

Listen to its call.

This "little king" was foraging in the evergreen trees across from the nursery in the Martindale area this afternoon. Although it was hard to follow its rapid movements in the dense growth, at least it remained low in the trees which made photographing it easier than has been my experience with past sightings of these birds.

This bird had the oddest feet; at least they struck me that way. The black legs ended abruptly in bright, yellowish-orange feet. It reminded me of a repair my husband made to the arm of his sunglasses a number of years ago. Maybe they've been using the same plastic-coated paint.

Learn more about the Golden-crowned Kinglet. 

Additional photos:

juvenile female

juvenile male

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.