Ruby-crowned Kinglet

1/500s at f8.0, ISO:800, Canon EOS-1D X w/800mm, x1.4 converter


The breeding habitat of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is coniferous forests across Canada, Alaska, northern New England and the western United States. They nest in a well concealed hanging cup suspended from a conifer branch and may lay as many as twelve eggs in a clutch. The recent counting indicates that the Ruby-crowned Kinglet population is on the rise. This is mainly due to discovery of less disturbed territory farther north. This allows more successful breeding. These birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico. Some birds are permanent residents in the west. Ruby-crowned Kinglets forage actively in trees or shrubs, mainly eating small insects and spiders, some berries and tree sap. They may hover over a branch while feeding and sometimes fly out to catch insects in flight. The red crest is raised when agitated or in display. Often, they perform a \"broken-wing\" act to draw predators away from their nest, which they will defend fearlessly, mobbing the intruder which may be a cat, squirrel, or human.
Rocky Mountain, N.P. CO
 
05/14/2013