Ruby-crowned kinglet

Corthylio calendula

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is a very small passerine bird found throughout North America.

Family: Regulidae Order: passerines Conservation: Least Concern

About the Ruby-crowned kinglet

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is a very small passerine bird found throughout North America. It is a member of the kinglet family. The bird has olive-green plumage with two white wing bars and a white eye-ring. Males have a red crown patch, which is often concealed. The sexes are identical apart from the crown, and juveniles are similar in plumage to adult females. It is one of the smallest songbirds in North America. The ruby-crowned kinglet is not closely related to other kinglets and was moved from Regulus to its own genus, Corthylio, in 2021. Three subspecies are currently recognized. The kinglet is mostly migratory, and its range extends from northwest Canada and Alaska south to Mexico. Its breeding habitat is spruce-fir forests in the northern and mountainous regions

Fun Facts About Ruby-crowned kinglet

Its breeding habitat is spruce-fir forests in the northern and mountainous regions of the United States and Canada.
It lays up to 12 eggs, and has the largest clutch of any North American passerine for its size.
It is one of the smallest songbirds in North America.
The sexes are identical apart from the crown, and juveniles are similar in plumage to adult females.
The ruby-crowned kinglet is not closely related to other kinglets and was moved from Regulus to its own genus, Corthylio, in 2021.

Conservation Status

The Ruby-crowned kinglet is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	passerines
Family	Regulidae
Genus	Corthylio
Species	Corthylio calendula

Range & Habitat