Northwest winds that are cold and frigid signal the inevitable: winter is upon us. Avian migrants, who are aware of the weather changes and the availability of food and are moving to warmer locations. Many travel for long distances before stopping , while others travel south, frequently stopping on their journey to fuel up.
Two of the most tiny travelers to appear in Wisconsin’s autumn landscape are golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets. They migrate in small groups each species has its own kind of kinglet, however groups may contain both species.
Ruby-crowned kinglets begin their journey with a big increase in the month of October. They’re destined to stay overwinter in the southern Gulf Coast states. To spot a ruby-crowned monarch in Wisconsin during winter is rare. Golden-crowned kinglets followand migrate throughout the month of October to November. They can be found from Wisconsin up to the Gulf coast. If you find an eagle in Wisconsin in winter, it’s most likely to be a golden crown. However, don’t assume. Always confirm every kinglet you see in winter.
At first glance, the are kinglets that look similar. They are both tiny large, plump, four-inch olive-green spritely bundles. Both come with two white wings bars, however the wing bars on ruby crowns are a little brighter.
The two kinglets can be identified by examining the patterns on their heads or markings. Golden-crowned kinglets, which are the most colourful of the two are distinguished by a bright spot (orange on males and yellow on females) on the crown or top of their heads. They are surrounded by black narrow stripes. Also, look out for an enticing white stripe that covers each eye. Beware, when birds fly around (often high up in trees) the crown patch might not always be visible.
Compare these markings with the dullness of kinglets with ruby crowns who lack the bold white eye stripe as well as the black crown stripes. While ruby-crowned birds have a small the red patch on their crowns, it’s typically hidden and flashes only whenever the birds are exuberant. Females aren’t equipped with the patch on their crowns. The only visible marking on the olive-green heads of ruby-crowns are a broken white eye ring that wraps around each eye.
Both Kinglets are birds that live in trees, soaring swiftly and with a ferocious speed over branches, searching for food, and gleaning insects, spiders, and eggs. When they are foraging the two species may often flutter their wings, and briefly hover over the branches’ tips. When these tiny kinglets travel through the trees members might call out to one the other. A loud, thin lisping “see-see-see” informs you that gold-crowned kings are in the sky, and a loud “zhi-dit” will alert you to ruby-crowns.
Both kinglets begin their autumn journey in their evergreen forest in Northern Wisconsin and Canada. They nest high in evergreens, mostly in the spruce trees. Because of the difficulty of accessing the nesting areas, only a only a few details are available on nesting behaviour.
The lively and joyful Kinglets are always a joy to watch. Their appearance is brief and warms the chill of a cold autumnal day. Soon, their hopscotching adventure continues as they look for warmer winter areas.
