[Tweeters] Cold weather bird behavior - RCKI's

[Tom Benedict]

I’m thinking that the high-visibility of the frequently hidden bright red ‘crown’ is due to the ‘feather puffing’ the bird was employing due to the extreme cold. As the feathers stick out more directly from the bird, they reveal the ruby jewel beneath. The normally somewhat slim bird was a much more rounded ball in this series of photos.

I had similar experience this morning as I checked the hummingbird feeders. A calypte anna was perched on the feeder but it didn’t fly off as it normally would. It barely moved, then took a few sips. I checked a few minutes later and it was still there. Eventually it flew off and I replaced the slush with fresh nectar. Another case of hunger overriding their flight distance fear response.

Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA



> On Jan 14, 2024, at 22:01, Tom Benedict <benedict.t at comcast.net> wrote:

> 

> Those are truly astounding close up photos of regulus calendula. The last frame in the video is calendar worthy!

> 

> Tom Benedict

> Seahurst, WA

> 

>> On Jan 14, 2024, at 21:40, Eric Ellingson <esellingson at gmail.com> wrote:

>> 

>>   Most Ruby-crowned Kinglets I've seen are usually quickly going about in bushes and trees, sometimes way high up, other times closer to eye level. However, even at eye level, they can be difficult birds to get a photo of.  Also, the scarlet crown is not always seen on the males or if seen just as a red flash.

>> 

>> So it was fascinating to see two of these hopping along the ground on the trail at Point Whitehorn. They seemed oblivious to us standing in the middle of the path. They would come toward us passing by our feet and continuing along the path. 

>> 

>> The scarlet on the head was very visible but not raised as when agitated. This and the behavior of feeding and hopping along on the ground are not the norm.   My guess about this ground-level feeding is that with the high winds and freezing weather (into single digits) their food of insects was blown to the ground out of the shrubs and trees they would have been in. Who, knows? Also, maybe a way to conserve energy?

>> 

>> Camera in hand, as usual, I could not pass up the opportunity.  I took many shots and videos of them hopping and foraging. Often they would come toward me getting too close for my camera to focus on them.  If I had a small insect in my hand I'm guessing they would have hopped into my had to eat it.

>> 

>> The 29-second video is comprised of some close-ups showing the scarlet crown and foraging successes.  Watch it here: https://flic.kr/p/2pswNca  Enjoy.

>> 

>> What unusual behaviors have you seen during this very cold and windy past few days.

>> 

>> 

>> 

>> 

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