Common Firecrest

Other names
Scientiphic name: regulus ignicapillus

Description
The Firecrest is about 8 cm long. It has green upperparts and whitish underparts, black eyes, black moustache and crown-sides. It has an orange-yellow crest and a white supercilium that makes it different from the Goldcrest.

Similar species
Goldcrest Flamecrest Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Behaviour
the Firecrest jumps and flapps through evergreen trees branches with quick and nervous movements. In winter it forms mixed flocks with tits, finches and goldcrests.

Diet
Insects in summer and seeds in winter.

Calls
a pitched and subtle zi zi zi.

Reproduction
It nests on trees, laying about ten eggs. The nest is made of straw, cobwebs and moss.

Distribution/habitat
The Firecrest lives in Central-North Europe, but sometimes flies to warmer zones in winter. Its habitat are woods (mainly coniferous woods). It is very common in the European mountains.