Goldcrest

At nine centimetres (3.5 inches) in length, the goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is the smallest bird found in Europe, although it is not easy to see as it flits about the trees in coniferous woodland, which is its favoured habitat. It is also found in broadleaved woods and parkland, but only when there are conifers not too far away.

  

It is resident throughout the British Isles from lowlands to highlands, with only the treeline limiting its spread. Numbers are enhanced in winter by visitors from continental Europe, and many can be seen in bushes close to the east and south coasts. It is often seen in company with tits.

Appearance

The colouring of the plumage is dull green on the upperparts and buff to white on the underparts. The short wings are marked with white bars and a dark band. The goldcrest takes its name from the prominent yellow to orange band, edged in black, that is seen on the crown of the head. Male birds have a more orange-coloured crest than the females, in which this feature is yellow.

The goldcrest’s song is a very high call, ending in a flourish descending slightly in pitch.

Breeding

Nesting begins at the end of April, when pairs build a largish nest, from small twigs, moss, lichen and hair, well hidden in the thick braches of a conifer. The nest tapers as it gets higher, with a very narrow opening at the top. A goldcrest pair that makes their nest too accessible or open is likely to find that a squirrel, dormouse or jay has raided it.

The clutch is of eight to eleven eggs, which the female goldcrest incubates for up to 16 days. The young are fed at the nest by both parents for around 14 days, after which the chicks leave the nest but stay with the parents in the thick branches. The food consists of small caterpillars, spiders and flies, which is also what the birds will eat as adults, supplemented by insect eggs and cocoons in winter. A second brood is often raised in June.

Goldcrest numbers in the UK are healthy, especially after several mild winters. However, a very cold winter could affect numbers badly, as with most other small bird species.

© John Welford