Here for the winter? I hope so. I saw a tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) a couple days ago. Normally there are some that spend the winter here. I’m hoping this one is not just passing through.

Their breeding range is far northern North America. They spend their winters in the southern US and the Southwest, some going further south to Mexico. Populations in the mountains of the west take the easy route, just going from the higher elevations to lower elevations where it is warmer.

I’ve never seen them at my feeders but others with feeders have had better luck. These Kinglets eat spiders and insects, as well as berries and seeds. Leaving my gardens go to seed has great benefit. Here, during the winter, these Kinglets are a big fan of seeds of spent Goldenrod and other flower seedheads that I leave for them.