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Birds by name

Goldcrest

Conservation status: Green

With the firecrest, the goldcrest is the UK's smallest bird. They're dull greyish-green with a pale belly and a black and yellow stripe on their heads, which has an orange centre in males. Their thin beak is ideally suited for picking insects out from between pine needles.

Overview

Latin name

Regulus regulus

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Where to see them

Pine forests are the best places to see goldcrests, but they range around in flocks of other small birds during autumn and winter. They're widespread and common across the whole of the UK; in autumn, large numbers arrive on the east coast from Scandinavia and make their way across dunes to more suitable habitat.

When to see them

Any time of year.

What they eat

Goldcrests eat tiny morsels like spiders, moth eggs and other small insect food.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-842,000 territories3-5 million birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
UK wide

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Goldcrest

Goldcrest - adult
  • Size: robin-sized or smaller
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, grey, cream/buff, green, yellow
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: brown, pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: on feeder, part of flock, bird hops on the ground, catches insects in flight

Goldcrest

Goldcrest - juvenile
  • Colouring: Juvenile
  • Size: robin-sized or smaller
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff, green, yellow
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: brown, pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: on feeder, part of flock, bird hops on the ground, catches insects in flight

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