Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Tiny Bird with a Big Song

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

If you enjoyed the video. Liking, Leaving a comment, or sharing it on Facebook, Twitter etc. helps out in a HUGE way. From myself and my bird buddies, thank you ALL for watching. It's greatly appreciated!

[@EthantheRollerblader]

Do you have any named kinglets?

[@ericmonfils3224]

I try

[@love.ccreid]

I wish I could see this cute bird in person! Thank you for your videos of this bird, & great job keeping up with him in the branches, it is very difficult. I hope I can see him near the gulf coast of north america some time.

[@ellemodglin2284]

I live in GA and just noticed one hanging around my area in the winter. I was so happy to see the crest of a little kinglet. I thought he was challenging me, but seems he had a difference with his reflection. 😂 I immediately had to look him up. I didn't know they only live 4 yrs and interesting to find out they hover. I hope my little Ruby comes to visit me again next winter.

[@JeanneMurray58]

You talk too much

[@kateclark7250]

... as if they've had too much caffeine... ha! That's too true!

[@stephaniedodt2389]

I am retired and finally have time to be part of Cornell Bird Labs Project FeederWatch. After a snowstorm I was doing the first day of my "watch" and saw this little olive bird next to a Chickadee. I grabbed my compact binoculars to better see its field marks. I searched and finally found that this was a Ruby Crowned Kinglet. I was thrilled, having never seen one before. I just had a feeling you would have done a video of this bird. Thank you so much for this! This kind of experience is what keeps us birdwatching and intensifies our love for it. I did my figures for the count the next day and realized that my feeders had nourished a minimum of 44 birds of 16 different species at a time e when the ground was covered with 8 inches of snow . This is a very satisfying hobby!

[@carlyehooten7467]

I saw one of these last winter here in Washington. Couldn't wait to identify it, it was so darling! I was walking my dog, or I might have stopped for a looooooong time to watch 😂. The tiny flash of the crown when it saw the dog was the only reason I was certain of its identity. Lovely little creature 💕

[@eleanormartinez8274]

They move like hyper little wind-up toys!

[@petorstevons3968]

I saw a golden-crowned kinglet on a walk in the woods this march, It was singing and showing me it's colourful crown; this is what got me into birding.

[@amandawilcox9638]

What a great start to a wonderful pastime! Enjoy!

[@wyomingadventures]

Me too!

[@mc12358]

That is your "spark bird". You'll remember it forever!

[@stephaniedodt2389]

Then it is your "spark bird"! Mine was a male Northern Flicker (yellow shafted) that pushed me into getting a good pair of binoculars. I had been contributing to Cornell Bird, National Audubon Society and American Bird Conservancy for many years. All along I cared about birds, but commuted to work and had little time to pursue it as a hobby. Now retired, I am truly enjoying it.

[@borderterrierpoppyadventures]

I love these little guys. I thought that was interesting about how large their clutch can be.

[@QuickWorksBeauty]

What a nice video. “They’re so busy they don’t have time for long term relationships.”

[@krolltheknight]

Didn’t know that other birds besides humming birds could hover. That’s awesome

[@josearmando4627]

Sweet bird

[@jhonsauceda6024]

As a man that's had a red mohawk, our shared curiosity and no one believe that I sleep I can say that this is my spirit bird.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hahaha too cute 🤗🐦

[@berniestang2616]

They are adorable… Im in MN ., we are covered in snow here … and the RUBY is here already … as of 4-7 -2023 … what are they eating?? We have heavy ground cover ….❄️❄️❄️

[@violetskyq]

The first time (and only time so far) I saw one, he was jumping around in my hydrangea shrubs. He was soooo tiny, I had to use a monocular to see what that little thing was. I saw the shade of olive, and that tiny little red dot atop of the head was so eye-catching:) Then I googled and learned it was a “ruby-crowned kinglet”, what a cute and accurate name!!

[@silkeden1]

"If you look up 'cute' in the dictionary, this birds face should be there..." Smiles for miles after watching yet another stellar video from one of my favorite content creators! 😁

[@benmonette7593]

That’s a big clutch, 12!

[@gettingold59]

gives new meaning that the best come in small packages. well done

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Exactly, 🐦

[@nmHispana]

Little feather angels how I 💖them so much and was excited today to finally be able to see one bathing in the birdbath!!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww how cool. 🐦

[@scrymgeour34]

Oh! I saw and recorded a ruby-crowned kinglet today while hiking up Mt. Lolo in Montana. Fires passed over the slopes here maybe four years ago (see the 'Lolo Peak Fire' entry on Wikipedia') so most of the old spruce and fir forest is gone -- I saw mountain bluebirds, western tanagers, juncos, and three-toed woodpeckers in the burned-over areas but very little else. About halfway up there's a small island of the old forest left: it was very quiet at the edge of the green area so I stopped for a second and 'pished' to see what'd come. Within thirty seconds I got a gray jay, a townsend's solitaire, a Swainson's thrush, two black-capped chickadees and -- a ruby-crowned kinglet! He looked me over pretty carefully, hopping from branch to branch about five feet away, and then very unexpectedly started singing at full volume -- ! These birds pass through my area in southern Maine by the end of April (they arrive while the ponds are still iced-over and usually before the spring peepers wake up), and I hear them up in Baxter SP by mid-May. Without them the local woods just feel a little more empty: they're really just overbrimming with life. I love them.

[@Jawneefive28573]

One could even say that the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is the KING of small birds!! Huh?? Huuuuuh?? Cuz......cuz he got the crown and.....yeah I'll just go home now.

[@johnnyc613]

Jealous !!!! I haven’t seen one yet !! Awesome video

[@DaSALTmustFLOW13Marquez]

I ❤️you Ruby-crowned Kinglet!!!!!!

[@AniFam]

I think it’s proper to say that Ruby-crowned Kinglet is too busy to stop…😅 Observing an active bird is fun but challenging… The slow motion was very helpful~ Thank you for sharing this informative video about the adorable Kinglet!🤗

[@robertawilson-vk3jf]

I saw a ruby crowned kinglet taking a bath in a very tiny stream of water, today. 3-10-23 His ruby crown was very visible.

[@SRowe-co1iq]

Adorable

[@lincolnboyle7914]

Thank you for posting, I’ve learned so much

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

No problem, glad you enjoyed and learned some new things. Thank you for the nice comment 🐦

[@paulamull9716]

I have the ruby crowned kinglet who comes to my window every day now. I have seen three of them but this one comes every day except rainy days. He flits around my window looking in. I can walk up to the window and take pictures and talk to him and it doesn't phase him at all. He is sooo cute!!! I put food out for him but I have only seen him eat once.

[@sharonrizzetto5205]

My Ruby that I nicknamed Tiny was the same exact way!! It was in winter of 2021 I first saw him and almost every day I could count on seeing him at the suet right outside my kitchen window!! I would have my coffee...he had breakfast and I took pictures all the while he serenaded me to some sort...he was a little spitfire for sure!! Then at the end of winter he was gone and I've never seen him again...😢and oh how I miss that lil buggar!! He made my day...

[@sassy3923]

I just saw a ruby-crowned kinglet outside my window down here on Long Island this morning. What a lovely little addition to my window-feeding friends! Thanks to God for making such lovely creatures to enjoy..... And thanks to you, Lesley, for your wonderful video that tells us all we need to know about this cute little bird.

[@MarioLorenzo]

The original punk rocker with the bright red mohawk

[@NGC-catseye]

🐦Happy Birding to you 🐦

[@PaperToPetals]

Ah they’re so sweet!

[@cesarbiscarr3604]

A few years ago, my wife and I were walking along the north shore of Caumsett State park, Lloyd Harbor NY when we were suddenly surrounded by a clutch of about 7 to 10 kinglets, maybe even more. Most impressive about their behaviour was that they each hopped from one tiny branch to another only inches away from us fearlessly. On another note, thanks to your videos on Blue Jays I've managed to befriended a couple of jays that reside in my backyard by feeding them just what you illustrated - peanuts.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww that's so cool about all the kinglets you and your wife saw. How cool. And I am really happy that you've managed to befriend a couple of jays. How cool. Thanks for the nice comment. Have a great weekend

[@AaronRichmond-kv2sl]

You're awesome leslie! Love your videos. Thank you ❤

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

🤗 that's kind of you. Thank you and you're welcome. Glad you enjoy.

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Always enjoy your episodes. I’ve only seen one of these ever .

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

Those are some cute birds. Very tiny, though!

[@Wardirt]

#23 on my life list of birds! Right outside my window.

[@thomaslong8401]

I had one show up at my suet feeder this spring. It was never still. Always at least twitching.

[@ferrisb1588]

What a sweet bird, cant wait to see (hear!) one some day ❤

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

What an amazing song coming from this tiny bird.

[@bethmitchell6968]

Oh, so sweet!

[@barbaragraves8640]

This little bird comes through our area in early spring (Houston, TX) I had reflective glass on my windows and the male would attack with his crown displayed. So cute!

[@patriciadonovan9778]

I'm an old lady with 3 old cats, but once the cats have died I want to move into a 3rd floor apartment, surrounded by trees so I can sit on my balcony and watch the kinglets (and other upper-canopy birds). Thank you for this delightful essay on one of my favourite birds.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You're very welcome. I hope it works out for with getting that apartment so you can watch the birds in the surrounding trees :) Take care and thanks for the nice comment

[@pepperfjeld6223]

I have a crush on the 🐦 whisperer

[@mamaboocee]

The thing I liked learning was just HOW MANY EGGS they rear! Holy cow! I think I saw a few around here - I definitely heard them!! I saw a tiny feathery head with legs - olive with white eye-ring - and NOW I know who I saw (actually it was a few - females and juveniles)!!! One was pecking for insects in my Japanese maple. And then, last week I heard it - so loud that I thought it was a carolina wren for a minute. So cute! Thanks for another informative and entertaining bird video! Ps: compare this constant movement of the ruby crowned kinglet to the sometimes very still moments of the downy woodpecker. I filmed this twice - both where they sat motionless - not a wing flick or a head turn for a full ten minutes, as they hung from the underside of a suet feeder. They was so still, I thought they were asleep - but it's eyes were wide open. I suspect a predator was near, and the best course of action was the "freeze"!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Oh wow I've never seen one stay still for that long before. I bet you were right, something was around causing them to freeze in position. Thanks for sharing 🐦

[@amandaleeborchert3745]

They are absolutely adorable!🥰🥰🥰 Even the babies can really belt out their little chirps!🎶🎶🎶 Such a fun educational video! Thank you for sharing!🐞🐞🐞

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I know hey, those baby sounds are pretty powerful. Adorable

[@cobythebirdnerd3790]

These birds are so cute and have such great personalities!! Thanks for sharing Lesley

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Yes Coby that is so true, they have big personalities. Thanks for the nice comment. Have a great weekend 🐦

[@micahbirdlover8152]

the sound baby chicks so cute 🥰

[@TheFarmat64]

Such a delightful bird

[@dubbadoo]

I love this Kinglet! Thank you!

[@TheJanda777]

What a cute bird! Have only seen a few of these, but very seldom. Thanks for making these videos about the common birds!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey thank you, glad you enjoyed the video 🐦

[@ginafriend1690]

Omg ... indeed! Too darn CUTE!!! I wish I could see one. I read they are in Northern IL. Lucky you to have around, Lesley!! I think as you do in comparison to Wrens. They are tiny and have a Huge Voice too! Yes, too much energy to settle down. Lol ☺

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Yes the wrens sing sound loud songs too, birds are so cool. I hope you do get to see the Ruby-crowned kinglet.

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

I was just going to say the same thing about how Kinglets are just like Wrens! 😁 Little birds with big voices. Wrens also seem to have a hyperactive nature to them as well, much like Kinglets. Both are such cute birds, too!

[@micahbirdlover8152]

how thats how it got isn't name ruby because of it's red head☝️

[@1coolkitty]

I always enjoy learning more about birds through your videos, Lesley! Please continue making them. ❤

[@MrBisque]

The first bird to land on my hand at my new home. I held up a finger at a convenient place next to the suet, and the little fellow was happy to use the new perch, only scared off by a massive curious chickadee. Happy to see this character get some love here. I've read some amazing studies by Naturalist Bernd Heinrich on these Kinglets and was so happy to see them "in the feather" so to speak.

[@rhodawatkins4516]

Funny to hear a chickadee being described as "massive". Just shows how small these kinglets are I guess.

[@RJFPme]

I love these beautiful little ones. There songs are wonderful.

[@lindseylascaux]

Was BLESSED by one at my window sill this morning who sun me a full ass aria while vibrating his flaming crest--thank you, tiny friend

[@richerich8007]

One of my favorite birds to photograph and that sound they make is amazing

[@PaperToPetals]

Great name for them too! Love they’re song!

[@dennisjennings5459]

I have seen these bird's many times here in Virginia I have also seen them with yellow and orange crowns such wonderful birds thanks for the vid

[@rhodawatkins4516]

@@dennisjennings5459 There is also a golden crowned kinglet, so maybe that's what you saw with the different colored crest?

[@lyndagrandmason4392]

I only saw one of these in my whole life, several decades ago ~ Thanks, Lesley, for bringing that good memory back to me!

[@denisemccarson1163]

Unusual, but adorable !

[@irksome100]

Yes, they are adorable. In the midst of all the negativity that's around us, thanks, Lesley, for giving us something positive to think about.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You are very welcome, Dennis. Thank you for the sweet comment. Have a great weekend. 🐦

[@nmd1211]

Your videos are such a delight to watch - informative, touching, fun, interesting. It is too easy to overlook birds, especially the small ones, and you remind us of the beauty of the natural world.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww Naomi thank you so much. 🐦

[@jtlkhughes]

I have been enjoying a little guy flying up and down against my window for the last five days. He is soo cute showing off his beautiful red crown. I think wants to come in for a visit. That would be quite an experience. Enjoyed all your knowledge and excitement too. Thank you Lesley

[@carefulpilgrim]

thank you for chronicling these little charmers, Leslie! They are really cute! I like how their eyes are very big..it makes them look so cute and inquisitive!

[@frog90901]

I live in North Eastern Illinois and saw a pair of these adorable little birds darting between a pine and a pear tree. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! They are not at all common in this area. So TINY and FUNNY! Made my day! Your video helped me to make a positive identification. Thank you so much!

[@mrsk9358]

As I’ve been taking the Christmas decorations off our front window, this adorable little bird keeps fluttering/hovering at the window like he wants to get in! What caught my eye is what resembled bright red spiked hair on top of his head. He truly is one of the cutest birds I’ve ever seen! (We live in Tucson,AZ) So glad I found this video.

[@ea6022]

I saw a ruby crowned kinglet for the first time this year in a pine tree looking for insects. They migrate through where I live so I wasn’t really expecting to see one, but what a treat that little guy’s behavior and size was!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww that's cool. Glad you saw one.

[@lisae1032]

I discovered this gem at a suet feeder last December in SW Ohio and instantly fell in Love! Thank you for this wonderful video 😊

[@AnnieandCC]

We live in SE. Mississippi and discovered the RCK accidentally one day in late fall after having made a bird feeder with shortening slathered on a toilet paper roll and covered in bird seed. This happened 5 years ago and, once we identified our visitor- thanks to the help of my father who is a seasoned birder- we watched them closely until they left us. We learned that they arrive in our area in November and remain until March. This has been an observable fact each year. It is our tradition to put out feeders each November in anticipation of them. They faithfully come and feed at our window each year. They are very friendly and we can get within 6 feet of them. We have also attracted them with my bird app and have even provoked males to excitement enough so they revealed their crowns. Having grown up in Maryland and living in central North Carolina for many years after college, I had never noticed these birds until our life in Mississippi. They are definitely on our list of favorites! Great video. Thank you.

[@maramorrison3144]

We've had the pleasure of hosting a few males at our bird feeder near Sacramento, Ca. They flashed thier impressive red crest when agitated by the finches at the feeder. We love thier small bird attitude and magnificent voice. By far one of our favorites

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Awe, what sweet little faces! I don't believe I've ever seen one of these birds. Thank you for introducing me to them! They sound like their little bodies are mostly vocal cords! It was interesting to learn that they hover like hummingbirds and I was surprised at their clutch size!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey you are welcome. Glad you enjoyed learning a little about this darling bird. Hopefully you'll see one some day soon 🐦

[@GB-sh9st]

The description and shots of their "triple coffee" energy was my favorite fact

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Haha glad you enjoyed that. 🐦

[@resilientfarmsanddesignstu1702]

My favorite experience with this bird was at the Chicago botanical garden. We visited frequently as we lived nearby. We would ride our bicycles to the Garden and enter through the back. The walk in from there had several spruce trees and the kinglets would nest in those trees. Like chickadees, they are extremely curious birds and they would ‘escort’ us along as we passed through their territory. Their cheerful curious nature early in the morning all but guaranteed a pleasant visit to the botanical garden. A better ambassador to greet guests could never be found. We have since moved to the country and while I very much enjoy the birds that we have here, I still have a special place in my heart for the kinglets. Only the chickadees rival them in cheerfulness. What fantastic little birds they are!

[@LoveWiena]

I was just going through some pictures that my husband took and noticed a bird I did not recognize, and upon checking out Merlin, found it could be a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. He also had a video but it was very hard to tell anything since it was blurry in so many places. We came here to find out more and wow, what an extraordinary video you have made. Now we are attached to this little bird, it's a new Lifer for us. I've heard them on Merlin but never saw one. My husband is thrilled that he actually saw a bird on his own, not knowing what he even got!! Thank you for such a great experience with this little one.

[@thistlesmom2706]

I have been fortunate to see one outside my window. One showed up 3 years ago and every winter I see one coming to the suet feeder. I am amazed at how quick the little cuties are. I was blessed to be able to see that ruby crown 2 years ago. Just a quick bright red flash. They are one of my favorites.

[@paulbugnacki7107]

Thanks for all of the great identification info on these little guys. The twitching and band colors on their wings are great identifiers. Their song is very interesting too. I don’t ever recall hearing them outside of the more common alarm chirping. Thanks for the great segment.

[@joseenoel8093]

Awww really something! My cardinals' babies rriilllllll like I've never heard, it seems, before!! I'm glad I was able to finally i.d. where it was coming from, they were there all along...

[@mikerichardson7261]

I've seen birds that look similar to the female of this species, but never one that resembles the male. What a cute little bird!

[@neildbarker]

They're a fun little bird to try and photograph - I swear they seem to blink in and out of existence - almost like teleporting! We had a good number of them migrate through Ottawa mid-Spring. Looking forward to seeing them again later this year when they migrate back through. Thanks for sharing!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Yes that is a good way to describe it, like they are teleporting from spot to another. Such energy. That's great to hear that you seen a lot of them migrating through.

[@minkeytales]

Just discovered this little darling this year when he came to inspect me as I was putting out food. So cute!!

[@EvieO1950]

I've had these adorable birds in my backyard off and on over the years and just love them! When it was snowing last year one came and ate out of the suet log while I was filling it up and let me get his picture. One of my favorite birding moments. I found it interesting about their loud calls.

[@AlbertFlynnDeSilver]

The RCK rocks the bird world. Love this little critter. Just saw one this morning and came here to confirm! Thanks so much!

[@AD-kv3sr]

I had one of these birds at my kitchen window, so I took a pic and looked it up. Your commentary was very enlightening.

[@Kris_at_WhiteOaksFarm]

I loved seeing these come in with the mixed flock, when I turned off my chainsaw, while harvesting firewood in upstate NY. I haven't seen them here on my farm in West Virginia. Sigh. Been seeing Red Headed Woodpeckers though. A beauty I'd never seen before. Brilliant white on the wings and tail, and lovely red head... High in the mulberry tree!

[@floydblandston108]

Thank you for this! It's only every 2 or 3 years I'll hear them- right in the very top of the spruces, and only for a short while. The rare times I've seen them, it was easy to confuse them with other birds, especially since they don't actually 'sing' that often. It's nice to know the tremendous racket the young make when hatched isn't some harm come to the much more abundant chickadees living a few stories down. : )

[@skuffel5405]

Thank you for the attention to the details of identifying these beautiful birds! The Ruby Crowned Kinglet exemplifies the theory that good things do indeed come in small packages!

[@1200times]

I love how to describe the birds. Thanks for sharing :)

[@mainstreetquilter]

JUst starting this year to be interested in birds; this video helped me identify an adorable specimen that wouldn't give up looking in our window today.

[@mickianderson4359]

Everything about these little sweeties is endearing! I am a hummingbird enthusiast, so knowing that the Kinglet hovers is thrilling! Thanx for the intro!

[@EthantheRollerblader]

Awwww, so cute! 🐦

[@olenskafanboy]

You mentioned their curiosity... My ruby crowned kinglet lifer swooped down to check me out at a local park and for some reason bowed right in front of me and I saw the ruby crown. I was a very new birder so would never have been able to ID him without that. They truly are cute little balls of energy.

[@LASKANDUDE]

I saw my first ruby-crowned kinglet in south Texas in the winter.

[@Bacopa68]

Really? I am in Houston and I never knew they existed. Was this near the polar vortex storm on Valentine's Day? I saw a few birds I'd never seen before, including a two birds my almost tame feral cat brought into the house. Don't worry, we've trapped, released, and adopted a post-Harvey feral colony of twenty and expanding down to seven extremely wild cats who are spayed or neutered. One of the neutered toms who is a total mama's boy will come in my house when it rains hard or if there's a heat warning.

[@LisaBeergutHolst]

Birb appreciation comment

[@truenreal365]

Haha i never these pink spike tops😊

[@nortondefaria]

for the first time today I was able to photograph this little guy. YES he is adorable and YES he is fast. Now I can appreciate your video and how well you made. This little bird will not hold position longer than 5 secs..maybe 3 secs. Your video is great - tks

[@rebanelson607]

I found one of these darlings dead on the side of the road last year. I'll never forget holding it- It was still warm. Such an exquisite creature should never die! Now I know its name. Thanks.

[@dalesharpy9197]

Land Surveying has been my profession for 31 years and my watching and identification went to the next level being outside everyday. Kinglets and Bushtits always make me smile, you hear them before you see them in the canopy or brush. Cheers.

[@carefulpilgrim]

Thank you for not only doing the video but also narrating it. Very interesting, and I love that you obviously care for them, too!

[@User161803399]

This video is the most in depth profile of a bird species I’ve ever viewed, it has hi quality video, as well as audio, and behavior. Excellent work.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Wow, thank you!

[@jimshaffer1780]

My wife just saw a pair of them 5 mins ago on our back patio in the High Desert above So. Cal. Migrating stop for them. 1st time in 6 years we have seen them.👍

[@cattailer1077]

Your video of this little bird is quite the feat!....Extremely challenging! 👏👏👏 Thanks, Leslie and happy birding to you too! 🥰

[@stevebublitz7364]

Thanks for the video! It helped me confirm a female checking out ALL my bird feeders here in northern New Mexico. She went from one feeder to the other in rapid time.

[@amandawilcox9638]

'Minute' is the right word! What a tiny cutie, and what a big heart and voice! I love the song and chat, but kinglets are hard to see here in western Oregon. Ty!