Goldcrest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Goldcrest
Female R. r. regulus in Lancashire
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Breeding summer visitor        Resident year-round        Winter visitor (ranges are approximate)
Synonyms
Motacilla regulus Linnaeus, 1758 Regulus cristatus

Subspecies R. r. himalayensis at Vinayak village in Uttarakhand, India

The goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is a tiny passerine bird in the kinglet family. Its colourful golden crest feathers gives rise to its popular name. The scientific name, R. regulus, means king or knight.

There are several subspecies. The bird has a very large distribution range: much of the Palearctic and the islands of Macaronesia and Iceland. Birds from the north and east of its breeding range migrate to winter further south.

The goldcrest breeds in coniferous woodland and in gardens, It builds its compact, three-layered nest on a tree branch. Ten to twelve eggs are incubated by the female alone. The chicks are fed by both parents, and second broods are common.

This little bird is always on the move as it searches for insects to eat. In winter it is often found with flocks of tits. It may be killed by birds of prey or carry parasites, but its large range and population means it is doing quite well. It is not a conservation concern.

Images for kids

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  The nominate subspecies, R. r. regulus, in Belgium. The goldcrest has a bright crest and a relatively plain face. The orange tinge of the hindcrown indicates that this is a male.

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  Male in France displaying orange crest feathers that are set within a narrow rim of yellow feathers

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  Female R. r. regulus in England

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  R. r. japonensis in Japan

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  R. r. sikkimensis from Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim, India.

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  Probable male R. r. himalayensis has paler underparts than the European race.

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  The silver fir, a favoured nesting tree

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  On foggy or overcast nights, goldcrests and other disorientated migrants can be attracted to lighthouses in large numbers.

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  Springtails are a major dietary item.

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  Goldcrest – Winter – Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, UK

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  Fishing Boats Offshore by John Moore. Fishermen in Suffolk referred to the goldcrest as the "herring spink".

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  Old drawing of a nest and small branches of a conifer tree

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  Regulus regulus regulus – MHNT

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  Regulus regulus azoricus – MHNT

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  Regulus regulus inermis – MHNT

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  Regulus regulus teneriffae – MHNT

See also

In Spanish: Reyezuelo sencillo para niños