Goldcrest

Regulus regulus

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6 recent observations

Brief #

Olive-green upper-parts with bright yellow/orange crest.

Synonyms #

  • Reyezuelo sencillo (Spanish)
  • EstreliƱa dos piƱeiros (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Goldcrest is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

Similar in appearance to a warbler, with olive-green upper-parts, buff-white underparts, two white wing bars, and a plain face with conspicuous black irises. The crown of the head has black sides and a narrow black front, and a bright crest, yellow with an orange centre in the male, and entirely yellow in the female; the crest is erected in display, making the distinctive orange stripe of the male much more conspicuous. The small, thin bill is black, and the legs are dark flesh-brown. Apart from the crest colour, the sexes are alike, although in fresh plumage, the female may have very slightly paler upper-parts and greyer underparts than the adult male. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but has duller upper-parts and lacks the coloured crown.

Measurements #

Length: 8 - 10 cm
Wingspan: 13 - 16 cm
Weight: 5 - 7 g

Similar species #