T. David Griffith
02-05-2007, 10:37 AM
Help. We think we have a Ruby-crowned Kinglet which has been visiting our backyard since Feb 1. But, its red crown is only about 1/8 inche (2 mm) in diameter while pictures in books, i.e. Sibley, shows a much larger crown.
QUESTION: Can Ruby-crowned Kinglets have a small red spot instead of a larger crown which covers 1/3 or more of the top of the head? Or, is it something else?
With the red spot, we are certain that it is not an Orange-Crowned Warbler, two or more of which showed up about 3 weeks ago. We are in south Plano and are tickled that we are attracting these little fellows. But, this latest bird has a wing bar while the Orange-crowned Warbler does not. Other than that and the red spot, both have just about the same coloration. The bird we think is the Kinglet also has a shorter beak. But, I haven't been able to get a good look at its eye.
The behavior of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is also different. Both like to flit along the ground, but he (she?) also likes to get into our Flame Ancanthus and Cigar Plants with thier dormant/dead branches and leaves on the Cigar Plant. However, while I have seen the Orange-crowned Warbler on the suet feeder, I have not seen the Ruby-crowned Kinglet partaking of the same.
If it weren't for the small size of the red spot, we would be very confident that our latest visitor was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. So, we are asking if they can have small red spots.
Thanks.
David Griffith
P.S. We are so glad the Bird Chat is back. I have been checking it every once in a while since it was hacked last year. Looking at the date of the oldest thread, I guess it was put back up around Jan 5 though I thought I had checked in mid-January.
QUESTION: Can Ruby-crowned Kinglets have a small red spot instead of a larger crown which covers 1/3 or more of the top of the head? Or, is it something else?
With the red spot, we are certain that it is not an Orange-Crowned Warbler, two or more of which showed up about 3 weeks ago. We are in south Plano and are tickled that we are attracting these little fellows. But, this latest bird has a wing bar while the Orange-crowned Warbler does not. Other than that and the red spot, both have just about the same coloration. The bird we think is the Kinglet also has a shorter beak. But, I haven't been able to get a good look at its eye.
The behavior of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is also different. Both like to flit along the ground, but he (she?) also likes to get into our Flame Ancanthus and Cigar Plants with thier dormant/dead branches and leaves on the Cigar Plant. However, while I have seen the Orange-crowned Warbler on the suet feeder, I have not seen the Ruby-crowned Kinglet partaking of the same.
If it weren't for the small size of the red spot, we would be very confident that our latest visitor was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. So, we are asking if they can have small red spots.
Thanks.
David Griffith
P.S. We are so glad the Bird Chat is back. I have been checking it every once in a while since it was hacked last year. Looking at the date of the oldest thread, I guess it was put back up around Jan 5 though I thought I had checked in mid-January.