Page 340 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WARBLERS AND ALLIES
Order Passeriformes Family Sylviidae Species Regulus ignicapillus
Firecrest broad black cap bold white stripe
with orange central
or wedge over
stripe (plain crown eye (duller on
on juvenile) juvenile)
bronze-yellow
bright green sides of neck
above
white tips to
inner flight
feathers
pale bars
across dark
wings
“V” shaped
ADULT white wingbar
IN FLIGHT

whitish below

ADULT
ADULT
ess widespread than the Goldcrest, but in parts of Europe the
Lmore likely of the two to be seen, the Firecrest has an obviously
close relationship with the slightly duller, plainer species. It has FLIGHT: short, quick, weak flitting action, usually
slightly firmer calls and a much less rhythmic, dynamic song, a useful over very short distances.
distinction if a bird is seen as a silhouette SPRUCE NESTER
against the sky at the top of a tall conifer Firecrests usually nest in conifers;
(as so often happens).When it comes they are typically difficult to see
lower and allows a close view, it is clearly amidst the foliage.
revealed as one of the brightest of
European birds.
VOICE High zeet; song sharp, quick,
accelerating zi zi zi zezezeeeee.
NESTING Moss and lichen cup beneath
branch, usually in conifer; 7–11 eggs;
2 broods;April–July.
FEEDING Takes tiny insects and spiders
from foliage, slipping through leaves
with ease and often hovering briefly.
OCCURRENCE
SIMILAR SPECIES Breeds in extreme S UK, south
to Spain and east to Baltic States
GOLDCREST 32; no white long yellow stripe and Balkans. Found all year in
see p.337 over eye plain wings over eye
coniferous, broadleaved, and
mixed woodland, shrubberies,
parks, evergreen scrub, and
bushy slopes with many hollies,
plainer yews, or similar bushes.
face
CHIFFCHAFF PALLAS’S WARBLER yellow Seen in the UK
see p.336 rump in flight; see p.447 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 9cm (3 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 13–16cm (5–6 1 ⁄2in) Weight 5–7g ( 3 ⁄16 – 1 ⁄4oz)
Social Solitary Lifespan 2–3 years Status Secure
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