Common FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaTiny bird, smaller than a warbler, with distinctive combination of boldly striped head, white wingbars, and bronzy-golden patch on sides of neck. Male has a fiery orange crown stripe; female's is yellow. Inhabits mixed forests, plantations, and gardens, usually in areas with conifers. In autumn and winter, often travels with foraging flocks of tits and other small woodland birds. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy, giving high, thin, lisping vocalizations.Regulidae bird family
Order Passeriformes · 5 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Common FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaTiny bird, smaller than a warbler, with distinctive combination of boldly striped head, white wingbars, and bronzy-golden patch on sides of neck. Male has a fiery orange crown stripe; female's is yellow. Inhabits mixed forests, plantations, and gardens, usually in areas with conifers. In autumn and winter, often travels with foraging flocks of tits and other small woodland birds. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy, giving high, thin, lisping vocalizations.
FlamecrestRegulus goodfellowiTiny, active songbird with distinctive black-and-white head pattern. Olive above, white below, with yellow wash on sides and rump and white wingbars; adult male’s vivid red-orange crest especially visible when raised. Inhabits montane coniferous forests and more open, scrubby areas with stunted bushes and evergreen growth. Feeds restlessly on small branches, frequently both gleaning and hovering. Song a somewhat strident series of high-pitched thin “tsi” notes; calls similar to song elements.
GoldcrestRegulus regulusTiny bird, smaller than warblers, with a distinctive combination of black-edged golden crown stripe, big dark eye giving impression of "innocent" face, ,and white wingbar offset by black wing patch. Resides in coniferous and mixed woodland, forest, plantations, and gardens with conifers; migrants show up in hedgerows and areas without conifers. In autumn and winter, often travels with foraging flocks of tits and other small woodland birds. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy. High-pitched jingling song has a distinctly up-and-down quality; calls are likewise thin and high-pitched.GoldcrestRegulus regulusTiny bird, smaller than warblers, with a distinctive combination of black-edged golden crown stripe, big dark eye giving impression of "innocent" face, ,and white wingbar offset by black wing patch. Resides in coniferous and mixed woodland, forest, plantations, and gardens with conifers; migrants show up in hedgerows and areas without conifers. In autumn and winter, often travels with foraging flocks of tits and other small woodland birds. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy. High-pitched jingling song has a distinctly up-and-down quality; calls are likewise thin and high-pitched.
Madeira FirecrestRegulus madeirensisTiny Madeira endemic, essentially identical to Common Firecrest. Smaller than a warbler, with a distinctive combination of boldly striped head, white wingbars, and bronzy-golden patch on each side of the neck. Male has a fiery orange crown stripe, while the female has a yellow one. Juvenile lacks the adults’ striking head pattern and has a faint dark eyeline and wingbars. Resides in laurel and tree-heath forests, as well as mixed forest. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy, giving high-pitched lisping vocalizations.