The smallest and hardiest of our resident bird species, Golden-crowned kinglets are remarkable for their ability to survive through severe northern winters when most other small insectivores have migrated to warmer climates. Spending winter nights in a squirrel's nest or huddled together in a sheltered spat are strategies this species uses for winter survival.

Their high-pitched calls ring like tiny bells from the canopy as they flutter among the branch tips in small flocks, searching for insects wintering in conifer foliage and dead leaves.

The Golden-crowned kinglet is very abundant year-round in coniferous forests from the Cascades and west throughout the Coast Range and Willamette Valley.

Hear the song of the Golden-crowned kinglet

Photo by Frank Lospalluto, Flickr