Ruby-crowned kinglet Regulus calendula

Identification Tips:

• Length: 3.75 inches
• Very small, active bird that often flicks its wings
• Thin bill
• Broken eye ring
• Olive upperparts
• Pale olive underparts
• White wing bars
• Yellow edges to flight feathers and tail
• Male has red patch in center of crown (not always visible)

Similar species:

The Hutton's Vireo is very similar in plumage but has a thicker bill. The Golden-crowned Kinglet is similar in size to the Ruby-crowned Kinglet but has a white supercilium and yellow crown. Warblers are larger, don't flick their wings and lack the broken eye ring.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.