{"id":5113,"date":"2022-11-04T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=5113"},"modified":"2022-11-25T18:50:02","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T18:50:02","slug":"the-small-and-agile-ruby-crowned-kinglet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2022\/11\/04\/the-small-and-agile-ruby-crowned-kinglet\/","title":{"rendered":"The Small and Agile: Ruby-crowned Kinglet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ruby-crowned kinglets<\/strong> (<em>Regulus calendula<\/em>). What are they? What\u2019s a kinglet? What do they look like? Hah, beats me. I\u2019ve never seen them in person, yet here\u2019s my blog on these tiny specimens. Don\u2019t worry! I\u2019m not making this stuff up; It\u2019s all researched \u2013 I swear. You can even check out my references.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"California Wildlife --- Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (part 1-of-2) foraging &amp; displaying its red crown\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9RAnxA4U7NY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Foraging Ruby-crowned Kinglet captured in Orange County, California, USA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9RAnxA4U7NY\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9RAnxA4U7NY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Wildlife<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identification <strong>\u2013<\/strong> What are Kinglets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make things easier for us bird enthusiasts, there are only two Kinglets in the family, Regulidae (in North America): Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds-of-north-america.net\/kinglets.html\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.birds-of-north-america.net\/kinglets.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BirdsOfNorthAmerica<\/a>). Regulus refers to a tiny king, hence the red patch on the males head\u2013resembling a crown. #ShortKingVibes (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bird.bot\/post\/ruby-crowned-kinglet\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bird.bot\/post\/ruby-crowned-kinglet\" target=\"_blank\">BirdBot<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These little guys are tiny songbirds \u2013 smaller than a chickadee or warbler! They\u2019ve got a relatively large head, and not much of a neck. You\u2019ve heard of \u201cNo Neck\u201d Ed before, right? Basically that but cuter. To compliment their small bodies, they also got thin proportional tails and a very small, thin straight bill. (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" target=\"_blank\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/male-ruby-crowned-1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" data-id=\"5403\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/male-ruby-crowned-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/male-ruby-crowned-1.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/male-ruby-crowned-1-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/female-ruby-crowned-1-1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" data-id=\"5402\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/female-ruby-crowned-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/female-ruby-crowned-1-1.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/female-ruby-crowned-1-1-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Female Ruby-crowned Kinglet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.44.55.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.44.55.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5407\" width=\"248\" height=\"151\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.44.55.png 614w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.44.55-300x183.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Reference scale of Kinglets (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ruby-crowned kinglets have an olive-green base with contrasts of a white eye ring and wing-bar, also distinctive from the adjacent blackish bar in the wing. Interestingly enough, the ruby crown is only occasionally visible on males. The red will show during times of agitation and excitement (BirdBot). However, there are regional differences within these species. In coastal southern Alaska and British Columbia (that\u2019s us!), their plumage is darker and is found to be slightly smaller elsewhere. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Female ruby-crowned kinglets are nearly identical to the males, with an exception of their crowns. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bird.bot\/post\/ruby-crowned-kinglet\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bird.bot\/post\/ruby-crowned-kinglet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BirdBot<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whilst it&#8217;s easy to mistake a Hutton&#8217;s Vireo as a Crowned Kinglet (and vice versa), they have their subtle differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hutton&#8217;s Vireo has a similar olive-grey colour on the upper-side of its body and lighter below as the kinglets. They also rep the iconic white eye-ring and two white wing-bars. However, the vireo has a thicker bill and is fairly larger than a kinglet. Another key difference are their legs; Noticeable, Hutton&#8217;s Vireo has a blue-grey tone, in contrast with the kinglet&#8217;s having black legs and yellow feet. If you&#8217;re still having troubles, remember that the vireo lacks the black bar behind the lower white wing bar that is present on the wings of Ruby-crowned Kinglets (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birdweb.org\/birdweb\/bird\/huttons_vireo\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.birdweb.org\/birdweb\/bird\/huttons_vireo\" target=\"_blank\">BirdWeb<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thankfully, the sister species of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Golden-crowned are much more distinctive and can be easily identified comparatively to the Hutton&#8217;s vireo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/huttons-vireo.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" data-id=\"5353\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/huttons-vireo.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/huttons-vireo.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/huttons-vireo-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/photo-gallery\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/photo-gallery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Male Hutton&#8217;s Vireo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/308524241-1280px.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"5358\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/308524241-1280px-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/308524241-1280px-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/308524241-1280px-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/308524241-1280px-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/308524241-1280px.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Golden-crowned_Kinglet\/photo-gallery\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Golden-crowned_Kinglet\/photo-gallery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Female Golden-crowned Kinglet<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"5354\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/golden-crown-ebird.jpeg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Golden-crowned_Kinglet\/photo-gallery\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Golden-crowned_Kinglet\/photo-gallery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Male Golden-crowned Kinglet<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fantastic Avians and Where to Find Them<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ruby-crowned kinglets like dense areas, and where is a better place for habitat density than forests? You\u2019ll often find them bouncing between conifer forests like spruce, fir, and tamarack. During the winter and migratory seasons, they are also found lurking in shrubby habitats, parks, suburbs and deciduous forests. So if you\u2019re ever out birding or taking a lovely stroll, keep an ear out for these guys. They are often heard rather than seen (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/lifehistory\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/lifehistory\" target=\"_blank\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/kinglet-nest-flickr.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/kinglet-nest-flickr.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5341\" width=\"592\" height=\"395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/kinglet-nest-flickr.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/kinglet-nest-flickr-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/kinglet-nest-flickr-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ruby-crowned Kinglet nest captured by GlacierNPS (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/glaciernps\/29305826688\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/glaciernps\/29305826688\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flickr<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ruby-crowned kinglets nest in trees way above the ground (as high up as 100 feet), favouring older, taller, and denser stands than younger ones. They like \u2018em sturdy! With female kinglets, they will likely choose a nest site near the tree trunk or suspended from small twigs and branchlets. These nest sites are protected and hidden by overhanging foliage. \u201cWow! I love what you\u2019ve done with the place.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">The nest sites often consisted of feathers, grasses, mosses, spiderwebs, and cocoon silk. And it\u2019s most definitely roomy too! They range from 4-inches wide and 5-6 inches deep from the outside, whereas inside it\u2019s 3-inches across and 2-inches deep. Now it may seem smaller, but the materials allow elasticity and can stretch as the brood grows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Behaviour \u2013 Fun Sized!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diet and Foraging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These tiny passerines have such a high metabolism making them restless and oddly acrobatic. They are quickly darting through foliage at lower levels than their nests, and to add some sass\u2013flick their wings as they move (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/id\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ruby-crowned kinglets typically prey on various insects and flies such as spiders, wasps, and bark beetles. This is usually done by foraging in tree foliage with hovering and pecking of leaves and branches. To throw in some diet diversity, they also eat seeds and fruits like dogwood berries. We love a well balanced-nutritional meal&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/lifehistory\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/lifehistory\" target=\"_blank\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Migration<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.54.51.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.54.51-871x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5410\" width=\"424\" height=\"497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.54.51-871x1024.png 871w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.54.51-255x300.png 255w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-12.54.51.png 1220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 424px) 100vw, 424px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Distribution of Ruby-crowned Kinglets (<a href=\"https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/species\/ruckin\/cur\/introduction?__hstc=75100365.8a28486b1df2a9bd9f4da450ac7905e6.1664500880694.1667353982258.1667417916789.15&amp;__hssc=75100365.11.1667417916789&amp;__hsfp=3437203173&amp;_gl=1*1f82f6k*_ga*MTkzMTA4NzU0Ny4xNjYzOTY2Mjg2*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY2NzQxNzkxNi4xNi4xLjE2Njc0MTg5OTcuNDMuMC4w\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/species\/ruckin\/cur\/introduction?__hstc=75100365.8a28486b1df2a9bd9f4da450ac7905e6.1664500880694.1667353982258.1667417916789.15&amp;__hssc=75100365.11.1667417916789&amp;__hsfp=3437203173&amp;_gl=1*1f82f6k*_ga*MTkzMTA4NzU0Ny4xNjYzOTY2Mjg2*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY2NzQxNzkxNi4xNi4xLjE2Njc0MTg5OTcuNDMuMC4w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BirdsOfTheWorld<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Ruby-crowned Kinglets have shorter migratory regions than golden-crowned have. Ruby-crowned typically breed all across northern North America and western mountains and migrate towards the south of the Americas during the winter non-breeding season (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/maps-range\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/maps-range\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\">The Sound of Kinglets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, as a writer who shares the same name as the Ruby-crowned kinglet, we like to attract not chase. It\u2019s much more energy efficient. The males use their loud, yet bubbly songs to establish territory, but also a breeding attraction. If successful, the breeding pair stays together for approximately two months until their chicks fledge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most commonly, you will hear a kinglet\u2019s harsh call. It\u2019s fast with a two-part scold (You can faintly hear it in the audio attached further below). Sometimes, it can be a long, chattering series or short notes. Whilst most males sing, females also produce alarm calls with their call. (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/sounds\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/sounds\" target=\"_blank\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conservation Status<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Luckily, these adorable sparrow sized creatures aren\u2019t in harm&#8217;s way. They are incredibly common and have stable breeding numbers. They can easily adapt to human disturbances and habitat fragmentation, although the unfortunate cases of logging and wildfire may disrupt those stable numbers (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/lifehistory\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/lifehistory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AllAboutBirds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Quick Recap<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ruby-crowned kinglet is a small migratory bird where its habitat spans across northwestern Alaska to eastern Canada and New England. The male kinglets song comprises three parts that\u2019s quite loud and complex. At the beginning, we are introduced with a series of high-pitched notes, followed by another series of chatter notes that are an octave lower, and ending with a loud 4-note phrase. These ruby-crowned kinglets often sing their hearts out from early spring to late fall with an interruption during the peak nesting period.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/YT2mp3.info-Ruby-crowned-Kinglet-Song-320kbps.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Series of Ruby-crowned Kinglet&#8217;s singing from <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3XBuzPFh-e4\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3XBuzPFh-e4\" target=\"_blank\">Fullaire<\/a>. Noticeable range within the calls and high-pitch notes. If you listen closely, you can also hear the calls of the kinglet in the faint background. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-14.08.54.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-14.08.54-1024x403.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5427\" width=\"577\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-14.08.54-1024x403.png 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-14.08.54-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-14.08.54-768x302.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-14.08.54.png 1092w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sonogram of Ruby-crowned Kinglet recorded by Fahmy and Wilson in 2016. Y-Axis representing the frequency in Hz and X-Axis representing the time in seconds (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1111\/jav.02467\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1111\/jav.02467\" target=\"_blank\">Journal of Avian Biology<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, compared to other temperate avian species, not much is known about the behaviour of the ruby-crowned kinglet in regards to their song production and singing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1111\/jav.02467\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1111\/jav.02467\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Studied Research<\/a>: Let\u2019s Learn More!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this 2020 research by Mohammad Fahmy and David R Wilson, they studied the ruby-crowned kinglet\u2019s&nbsp; singing behaviour in relation to time-of-day, time-of-year, and social contexts. This was conducted using microphone arrays by quantifying daily, seasonal, and contextual singing patterns to provide insight in the kinglet\u2019s behaviour and ecology. Fahmy and Wilson\u2019s research allows us to understand the causes behind certain patterns and behaviours, as well the communication in relation to territorial defence and male attraction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How was this study done?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This study was conducted during the 2016\/2017 breeding season in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada\u2013 all within a 40km radius.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fahmy and Wilson started this study with 112 microphone arrays which comprised three or four autonomous digital audio recorders. These were active for a minimum of 24 hours each from May 16th to July 14th, 2016 and May 16th to June 28th, 2017 (frequency range: 50-20,000 Hz \u00b1 10dB). Fahmy and Wilson also stimulated territorial intrusions by playing pre-recorded songs of ruby-crowned kinglets from a selected bunch of the microphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Are you an Early Bird or a Night Owl?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2016, song density peaked in week 24 (starting date of June 7th), and then slowly decreased until it ceased in the final week, 28. In 2017, song density peaked in the first week (starting May 19th), and declined throughout the remainder of the breeding season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ruby-crowned kinglets began singing after sunrise and reached peak song density approximately between 6-7AM. Then during the rest of the day, varying from 8:00 to 22:00, it steadily declined. There would be some nocturnal singing after 21:30.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Nuances in Song Behaviour<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-18.37.36.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-18.37.36-749x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5332\" width=\"319\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-18.37.36-749x1024.png 749w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-18.37.36-220x300.png 220w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-18.37.36-768x1050.png 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/files\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-01-at-18.37.36.png 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 319px) 100vw, 319px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The relationships between social context and song structure in ruby-crowned kinglets. Song structure variables include (a) song duration, (b) duty cycle, (c) frequency modulation and (d) bandwidth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the breeding season, the song&#8217;s function will focus more on territory defence for protection. Whereas afterwards, the diminished song production suggests a continuation of male attraction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kinglets sang in response to stimulated intruders, suggesting their song has dual functions of attraction and territory defence. Interestingly, most song structure variables (duty cycle, bandwidth and frequency modulation) did not differ significantly among the three social contexts, which suggests that the different units of the ruby-crowned kinglet&#8217;s song do not serve separate functions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>HAPPY BIRDING!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next time you&#8217;re walking through some trees or shrubs, keep your ears open and listen for the melodious sounds of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Hopefully you can get the chance to see these small birds. Unfortunately, I still have yet to see them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">references<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>California Wildlife &#8212; Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (part 1-of-2) foraging &amp; displaying its red crown<\/em>. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9RAnxA4U7NY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9RAnxA4U7NY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fahmy, M., &amp; Wilson, D. R. (2020). Singing behaviour of ruby-crowned kinglets Regulus calendula in relation to time-of-day, time-of-year and social context.&nbsp;<em>Journal of Avian Biology<\/em>,&nbsp;<em>51<\/em>(7). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jav.02467\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jav.02467<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GlacierNPS. (2018, July 3).&nbsp;<em>Ruby Crowned Kinglet Nest<\/em>. Flickr. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/glaciernps\/29305826688\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/glaciernps\/29305826688<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Hutton\u2019s Vireo<\/em>. (n.d.). BirdWeb. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdweb.org\/birdweb\/bird\/huttons_vireo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.birdweb.org\/birdweb\/bird\/huttons_vireo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Kinglets (Regulidae) &#8211; Birds of North America &#8211; North American Birds<\/em>. (n.d.). Www.birds-of-North-America.net. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds-of-north-america.net\/kinglets.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.birds-of-north-america.net\/kinglets.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Identification and Behavior<\/em>. (n.d.). Www.bird.bot. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bird.bot\/post\/ruby-crowned-kinglet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.bird.bot\/post\/ruby-crowned-kinglet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ruby-crowned Kinglet &#8211; North Carolina Bird Atlas<\/em>. (n.d.). Ebird.org. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/ebird.org\/atlasnc\/species\/ruckin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ebird.org\/atlasnc\/species\/ruckin<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ruby-crowned Kinglet Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology<\/em>. (n.d.). Www.allaboutbirds.org. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet\/overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ruby-crowned Kinglet Song! Ruby-crowned Kinglet Call! &#8211; Reyezuelo Rub\u00ed Canto &#8211; Regulus Calendula<\/em>. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved November 4, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3XBuzPFh-e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/3XBuzPFh-e<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ruby-crowned kinglets (Regulus calendula). What are they? What\u2019s a kinglet? What do they look like? Hah, beats me. I\u2019ve never seen them in person, yet here\u2019s my blog on these [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4674,"featured_media":5421,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4674"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5113"}],"version-history":[{"count":109,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5948,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5113\/revisions\/5948"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}