Species › Birds › Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

CommonBird
Illustration of Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a hyperactive miniature bird that flicks its wings almost constantly. Males have a brilliant ruby-red crown patch usually hidden but occasionally erected in excitement. Despite its tiny size, it sings an astoundingly loud, complex song. It was moved to its own genus in 2021.

Habitat
Conifer forests when breeding; diverse habitats including forest edges and gardens in winter
Diet
Tiny insects, spiders, and insect eggs from bark and foliage
How common
Common

Best time to see a Ruby-crowned Kinglet

The best time to see a Ruby-crowned Kinglet is October–January, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 67,252 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Ruby-crowned Kinglet sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Ruby-crowned Kinglet?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More birds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Ruddy Ground Dove
Ruddy Ground Dove
Columbina talpacoti
Ruddy Quail-Dove
Ruddy Quail-Dove
Geotrygon montana
Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater
Sporophila minuta
Ruff
Ruff
Calidris pugnax
Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus