Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglets are Common year round.

Habitat

Most Golden-crowned Kinglets breed in dense fir and spruce forests with closed canopies, often in remote locations. Some also breed in heavily wooded urban areas. During migration and in winter they can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including lowland deciduous woodlands, orchards, Ponderosa pine forests, and along tree-lined streams, though they tend to prefer conifers.

Behavior

Golden-crowned Kinglets are fairly easy to see during the winter when they flock with other small birds and can occur in large numbers. They are often found foraging high in the canopy, where they hover in front of and under branches or hang from twig-tips to glean food from their undersides and from the undersides of leaves. They also fly out to catch tiny, flying insects. Their flight is quick and fluttery, and they frequently flick their wings. In winter and on migration they often forage much lower.