Small and agile kinglets put on a good show
We are fortunate in New Mexico to have two species of kinglets. They are the ruby-crowned and the goldencrowned kinglet.
The rubycrowned kinglet is a tiny olive-green bird, averaging about 4 inches long, with white wing bars, a distinctive white eye ring, and a thin, short black bill. The male has a ruby patch on top of its head that is often hidden from view.
When the male kinglet gets excited, it raises its head feathers, exposing the ruby crown. The golden-crowned kinglet is a bit larger, with a gray body, olive-colored wings and a yellow stripe on top of its head. Both kinglets are year-round residents of northern New Mexico and expand their territory in the winter to include all of New Mexico. These kinglets like similar habitat; however, the goldencrowned kinglet is able to live at elevations up to 11,000 feet. This sturdy little bird can withstand temperatures of minus 40. Golden-crowned kinglets often huddle together to stay warm on cold nights.
The ruby-crowned kinglet is most noticeable when foraging for food. It rapidly moves from branch to branch in trees and bushes, usually at eye level, constantly flitting its wings, looking for spiders, aphids and other small insects. The golden-crowned kinglets are more difficult to spot, because they search for food higher in the trees. Both kinglets are acrobatic, hanging upside down on thin pine needles and leaves, grabbing insects with their narrow bills. Kinglets are not seed eaters but can be enticed to backyards with suet and bark butter (a spreadable suet).
Kinglets have a lively, varied, loud call and song. Because of their small size, they wisely avoid direct confrontations with other birds. Instead, they use their loud songs to intimidate birds trying to invade their territory during the summer nesting season. The golden-crowned kinglet has two broods of young. This is quite an accomplishment, especially in higher elevations, where the nesting season is considerably shorter.
No matter where you live in New Mexico, keep an eye out for these tiny but mighty birds. Watch for their flitting wings and rapid movement as they move from branch to branch. See if you can catch a glimpse of the elusive ruby crown of the ruby-crowned kinglet.