Goldcrest
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Goldcrest | image = Regulus regulus0.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Regulidae | genus = Regulus | species = R. regulus | binomial = Regulus regulus | binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758) }}
The Goldcrest Regulus regulus is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family, resembling the Firecrest but with a plainer face. It breeds in most of temperate Europe and Asia but is partly migratory and northern birds winter south of the breeding range. It prefers coniferous woodlands, although it has a wider range in winter, when it is often found with tit flocks. It builds an open nest and lays 4-12 eggs.
The Goldcrest is the smallest European bird, measuring from 8.5 to 9.5cm. It is dull greenish above, with buffy white underparts, two white wingbars, a plain face with a conspicuous black eye. The crown has black sides and a narrow black front, and a bright central crest, orange in the male and yellow in the female, which is displayed during breeding. It is a restless species, constantly on the move as it searches for insects.
Goldcrests were previously called Gold-crested Wrens, and are celebrated in a poem by Charles Tennyson Turner with that title.
Goldcrests on the Canary Islands have a broader black band across the forehead, and yellower wingbars. They are now considered a separate species, the Tenerife Goldcrest, Regulus teneriffae.
The Goldcrest is the national bird of Luxembourg.
External links
cs:Králíček obecný da:Fuglekonge de:Wintergoldhähnchen et:Pöialpoiss fr:Roitelet huppé fy:Goudtûfke lt:Nykštukas nl:Goudhaantje nn:fuglekonge no:Fuglekonge pl:Mysikrólik fi:Hippiäinen sv:Kungsfågel