Tiny but mighty, this feathered jewel darts through treetops with boundless energy, barely larger than a ping-pong ball.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Goldcrest is Europe's smallest bird, with olive-green upperparts and pale underparts. Its most striking feature is a bright yellow crown stripe bordered by black lines. Males have an orange centre in their yellow crest.

Females are slightly duller overall, with a purely yellow crest. Both sexes have a thin, dark bill and pale wing bars.

Juveniles are duller than adult birds with a white eye ring and lack the brightly coloured yellow crown.

Size

Length

8.5cm to 9.5cm

Wingspan

13cm to 15cm

Weight

4.5g to 7g

Colours

Primary Colour

Green Yellow Olive

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Goldcrests inhabit coniferous and mixed woodlands across Europe and Asia. They show a strong preference for spruce, fir, and pine forests. In the UK, they are widespread in suitable habitats, including parks and gardens with mature conifers.

During winter, some northern populations move southward or to lower elevations. In harsh weather, they may seek shelter in more diverse habitats, including deciduous woodlands and urban areas.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

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Resident
Non-breeding

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95
Strength 15
Adaptability 85
Aggressiveness 30
Endurance 70

Diet

Goldcrests primarily feed on small insects and spiders. They specialise in gleaning tiny prey from the outer branches of trees, particularly conifers.

Their small size allows them to access food sources unavailable to larger birds, and they often hover to pluck insects from needles and leaves.

Behaviour

Goldcrests are remarkably active, constantly flitting through foliage in search of food. They often hang upside down from branches, probing for insects.

These tiny birds are surprisingly social, often forming mixed-species flocks with tits and warblers outside the breeding season.

Vocalisation

The Goldcrest's call is an extremely high-pitched, thin 'see-see-see', often beyond the hearing range of some people. Their song is a series of high, tinkling notes, ending in a flourish, sounding like 'si-si-si-si-si-sisisisisi-see-see-see'. These vocalisations are crucial for locating these tiny birds in dense foliage.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from April to July, with pairs forming in early spring. Males court females with vibrant displays of their orange crown feathers. Goldcrests are monogamous during the breeding season.

Nests are intricately woven, deep cups made of moss, lichen, and spider webs, typically suspended high in conifer trees. Females lay 7-12 tiny cream-coloured eggs with fine reddish-brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 16-17 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 17-22 days. Pairs often raise two broods per season.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 2 - 3 years
0
1
3
4
5

years

The Goldcrest typically lives for 2 to 3 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Goldcrest is currently of Least Concern globally, it is vulnerable to harsh winters and habitat loss. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse forest structures and protecting mature coniferous woodlands, which are crucial for their breeding success.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

98,000,000 - 165,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[3]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Listen for their high-pitched, thin 'see-see-see' call
  • Look for movement in the upper canopy of coniferous trees
  • Watch for their characteristic hovering behaviour as they glean insects from foliage
  • In the UK, check parks and gardens with mature conifers

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Golden-crested Kinglet

Family:

Regulidae

Predators

Main predators include small raptors like Sparrowhawks and Merlins, as well as domestic cats in urban areas. Squirrels and corvids may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. Goldcrests can lower their body temperature at night to conserve energy.
  2. They are known to cross the North Sea in autumn, sometimes landing on ships for rest.
  3. A group of Goldcrests is sometimes called a 'crown' or 'realm'.

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Community Experience

Community Ratings

1 rating from birders

Ease of Spotting
3.0/5
Visual Appeal
4.0/5
Song Recognition
4.0/5

Latest Community Reviews

S

Stephen jones

Spotting: 3/5
Visual: 4/5
Song: 4/5
I could not believe what I was seeing walking up my back garden to my shed and saw movement in a Christmas tree I planted after use for the festive season about five years ago and when I stopped to get a better look a could see it was a goldcrest I did not even realise the inhabited the woods of the North west

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Regulus regulus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22734997A132183740.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2015: EBCC