Regulus satrapa
(Golden-crowned Kinglet)

Physical Description:
3 1/4-4 1/4" (8-11 cm). Olive-gray above, dirty white below. Yellow crown bordered with black; gray face with black eye-stripe. White wing bars and slightly notched tail.

Similar Species- Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hutton's Vireo

Song:
Song begins with raspy, high notes that ascend slowly, faster ascending notes, and ends with an upward, whistled chatter.

Distribution:
Breeds from southern Alaska, east to Newfoundland, and south to central California, southern Arizona, U.S.-Canadian border, and western North Carolina. Winters from south-coastal Alaska and southern Canada, south to northern Baja California, southwestern U.S., Guatemala, Gulf Coast, and Florida.

Found in coniferous forests and woodlands (especially spruce). During migration and in winter, also found in deciduous woodlands, scrub, and brush. Pacific Northwest study found these kinglets associated with dense, shaded forests with some shrub interspersion. Preliminary results of northern Idaho study indicated species was more abundant in continuous old growth stands than in fragmented or selectively harvested stands.

Diet:
Feeds primarily on insects and their eggs (e.g., bark beetles, scale insects, and aphids). Drinks tree sap.

Ecology:
Builds hanging nest on branch near trunk. Forages among branches of trees. Often obtains prey while clinging to or hanging from foliage. In winter, seen in association with chickadees, Brown Creepers, and Downy Woodpeckers.

clutch size varies from 5-11 eggs (usually 8-9). Incubation probably lasts about 14-15 days.

Conservation:

Element Code:	ABPBJ05010
Status:	Protected nongame species
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S5
National Rank:	N5

Important State References:
Langelier, L. 1983. Habitat selection of common breeding bird species in western spruce budworm outbreaks. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Idaho, Moscow. 119pp.