[Tweeters] Cold weather bird behavior - RCKI's

[Dennis Paulson]

Eric,

It has long been noticed that Golden-crowned Kinglets come down to the ground to forage in really adverse weather conditions, so we can add Ruby-crowned to that list as well.

Be sure to let us know if anyone sees a Brown Creeper doing this!

Dennis Paulson
Seattle


> On Jan 14, 2024, at 9:40 PM, 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 <https://flic.kr/p/2pswNca>  Enjoy.

> 

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

> 

> 

> Eric Ellingson

> 360-820-6396 <tel:360-820-6396> 

> esellingson at gmail.com <mailto:esellingson at gmail.com>

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/ <https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

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