The firecrest is a tiny kinglet, closely related to the similarly patterned goldcrest. Firecrests were first recorded breeding in the UK in Hampshire in 1962, and are now found in coniferous forests throughout much of southern England. In autumn and winter, numbers increase as migrant firecrests arrive across the North Sea. At this time of year, they join flocks of other small birds and can often be found away from breeding sites, including in parks and gardens.
How to identify
This tiny bird is similar in appearance to the goldcrest, olive-green above and buff-white below, but the colours are brighter on a firecrest. Males have a bright orange crown edged with black, while the female's crown is yellow. The firecrest's most distinctive feature is a bright white line above the eye, which is not present in goldcrests.
Did you know?
Like the goldcrest, the firecrest's scientific name has a royal ring to it. Regulus ignicapilla translates roughly as the fire-capped little king, a reference to the beautiful orange crown of the male.
