Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula). They spend their summer in far northern North America and the western mountains. Winters are spent in the southern and southwestern United States and Mexico. Some mountain populations in the West relocate to lower elevations during the wintertime. And now they’re here on my mountain. I’ve seen one or two the past few days looking for insects in nearby trees.

Their diet throughout the year is mainly insects but during the winter months they’ll also eat berries and seeds.

The male has the distinctive ruby crown. Other distinguishing features of both male and female are the white wing bars against black bars, the white incomplete eye ring, and the habit of constant wing flicking.

The measurements of this bird – a length of 4 inches and weighing just .25 ounce makes it one of the smallest songbirds in North America. I sure am glad to have these tiny creatures back in my woods.