Kinglet

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Kinglets | image = Regulus regulus0.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Goldcrest Regulus regulus | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Regulidae | genus = Regulus | genus_authority = Cuvier, 1800 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }}

Contents

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History, Phylogony and Taxonomy

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. They have representatives in North America and Eurasia. There are now seven species in this family. Madeira Firecrest, R. madeirensis recently split from Firecrest as a separate species. The scientific and English names come from the fact that the adults have coloured crowns.

Recent molecular techniques have added some confusion the the true phylogeny of the Regulidae Family. They are placed in the Superfamily Sylvioidea (e.g., nuthatches, treecreepers, tits, wrens, crests/kinglets, swallows, bulbuls, babblers, and warblers). This is likely correct however the relationships of Regulidae are unresolved.A Myoglobin tree was used in the research in order to differentiate linneages.



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Physical Features

All members of the Family are 9-15.5 cm. These birds have an eye-ring or a stripe at the supercilium. The males posess a colorful crown patch. They have one specific feather which projects forward over the nares.

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Firecrest

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Behavior

The Golden-crowned Kinglet has been observed in groups and huddling together during the cold winter nights in northern North America, these overnight stages may last 16 hours.

In North America the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is more likely to be seen because it occupies the lower tree branches as opposed to the Golden-crowned Kinglet which usually stays higher up in the tree.

The birds have been observed traveling in different sexually biased groups based on geographic location. During winter in California groups of Ruby-crowned Kinglets were counted and there was a much higher percentage of females. This number was however variable depending on location.

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Migration and Geography

Members of this family generally reside in holarctic forests. The Golden-crowned kinglet and the Ruby-crowned kinglet are the two species of Kinglets which are present in North America. These two species migrate to North America from Alaska and are mainly present in the large boreal forests of the United States and Canada.

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Reproduction and Nesting

These birds build a sperical nest composed mostly of moss and cobwebs and lined with many feathers of other species. They produce usually 7-9 eggs. The birds and monogomous and provide biparental care.

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Feeding

These very small birds are insectivorous. One interesting study examined the chemical consistency of several song bird species diets. It showed that the kinglets have a very chemically consistent diet. Therefore they generally eat the same type food year round regardless of conditions. Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned kinglets have been observed using white spruce a great deal for foraging.


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References

  • Podlesak, D. W. (2005). Stable isotopes in breath, blood, feces and feathers can indicate intra-individual changes in the diet of migratory songbirds. Oecologia, 142: 4: 501-510.
  • Cumming, E.E. (2004) Habitat segregation among songbirds in old-growth boreal, mixed wood forest. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 118: 1: 45-55
  • Hayes, J.P. (2003) Response of birds to thinning young Douglas-fir forests. Ecological Applications. 13:5: 1222-1232
  • Heinrich, Bernd. (2003) Overnighting of Golden-crowned Kinglets during winter. Wilson Bulletin. 115:2: 113-114
  • Humple, D.L.,et al. (2001) Female-biased sex ratio in a wintering population of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Wilson Bulletin. 113:4: 419-424
  • Gill, F. (1995). Ornithology. USA: W.H. Freeman.
  • Bent, A.C. (1964). Life histories of North American thrushes, kinglets, and their allies. New York: Dover Publications
  • Alström, P.(2006, February). Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 38 (2).Retrieved March 2006, from http://portal.isiknowledge.com/portal.cgida:Fuglekonger

de:Goldhähnchen fr:Regulidae fy:Goudtûfkes io:Regolo ka:ნარჩიტასებრნი lt:Nykštukiniai nl:Goudhaantjes ja:キクイタダキ科 (Sibley) pt:Regulidae ru:Королёк (птица) sl:Kraljički

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