Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States
Natural History and Habitat Use
Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- Regulus calendula
RANGE: Breeds from northwestern and north-central Alaska, northern Saskatchewan,
northern Ontario, and Newfoundland south to southern Alaska, in the mountains
to southern California, southern Arizona, south-central New Mexico, and east-central
Colorado, and east of the Rockies to central Alberta, southern Manitoba, northeastern
Minnesota, northern Michigan, northern New York, northern Maine, and Nova Scotia.
Winters from southern British Columbia, Idaho, northern Arizona, Nebraska, southern
Ontario, and New Jersey south to Baja California, southern Texas, southern Florida,
and through Mexico to Guatemala.
STATUS: Locally common.
HABITAT: Generally inhabits coniferous forests or coniferous-deciduous
woodlands during the summer breeding season. In migration and during winter
also found in deciduous forests, open woodlands, brush, and scrub.
NEST: Usually attaches nest to pendent twigs beneath a horizontal spruce
branch (occasionally fir or pine), generally from 15 to 60 feet above the ground.
FOOD: Gleans or hawks its food, which consists mainly of insects and
spiders. Also eats some elderberries and weed seeds.
REFERENCES: Beal and McAtee 1912, DeGraff et al. 1980, Forbush and
May 1955, Terres 1980.
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