Birds of the month
Head outside and discover fascinating birds each month. Read on for top ID tips, what to listen for, and where to see them.
Birds and wildlife
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillusGroup: Kinglets and FirecrestsUK Conservation status:Green
How to identify
This tiny, restless jewel of a bird vies with the Goldcrest for the title of the UK's smallest bird. Compared to the Goldcrest, the Firecrest is brighter and 'cleaner' looking, with a green back, white belly, bronze 'collar' and a black and white eye-stripe. They have a yellow and black stripe on their heads, which has a bright orange centre on males. Like Goldcrests, they move through trees and bushes in search of small insects.Call
Firecrest
Patrik Åberg / xeno-canto
Key features to look out for
- Distinctive white ‘eyebrow’ stripe above the eyes – Goldcrests don’t have this
- Black cap with a vivid orange stripe – yellow in females
- Bright olive-green back
- Bronze ‘collar’ around the neck
- White underparts
- Slightly larger than Goldcrests (about 10cm vs 9cm)
- Sleeker, more streamlined look than the dumpy Goldcrest
Conservation status
Firecrests are on the Green List.
When and where to see them
Difficulty rating: Hard
Firecrests love mature woodland with plenty of conifers, but they’ll happily explore mixed or broadleaf woodland with dense undergrowth. Like Goldcrests they’re endlessly busy, flitting about in search of insects high in the trees, but they will also venture down into scrub and bushes more often than their cousins. You’re most likely to spot them in southern England, where they breed, though winter migrants from continental Europe could pop up more widely.
Firecrests are much scarcer than Goldcrests in the UK, although their numbers are on the rise. You’ll need patience and a keen eye to catch a glimpse of these fast-moving little birds, but now is the best time to look, as winter migrants boost your chances.
Key
- Resident
- Passage
- Summer
- Winter
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec