Firecrest
(Regulus ignicapillus)
The Firecrest is an incredibly rare bird in the UK, which is part of the Kinglet family, and there are only 550 known breeding pairs. They exhibit a range of migratory behaviour, and while those UK residents are restricted to south-east areas of the UK i.e. Kent, other Firecrests are either winter migrants (south-west, from Cornwall and the far south of Wales) or passage migrants (East Anglia and a thin strip towards Wiltshire).
The orange-yellow stripe of a male Firecrest
If you’re lucky enough to observe a Firecrest in the wild – unfortunately, you’re unlikely to receive a visit in your garden – you may notice the bright yellow and orange stripe down the centre of the head. This most distinguishing feature is similar to, but still unlike, that of the Goldcrest (see comparison below), which is much yellower in comparison. This central orange-yellow stripe is surrounded by a semi-circular black stripe, which fades into an orange collar around the sides of the head. Look closely at the plumage and it’s clear to see a beautiful olive-green colour.
What’s the different between and Firecrest and Goldcrest?
“Hybridisation between Goldcrests and Firecrests seems to be prevented by differences in courtship rituals and different facial patterns,” Wikipedia.
BTO Bird ID video – different between Goldcrest & Firecrest
The Goldcrest is the smallest Passerine garden bird in the UK, weighing in at just 5 – 7g; it displays a yellow streak down the centre of the crown, which is bordered by two black stripes. The Firecrest, on the other hand, is slightly heavier and “sharper” in appearance, and the head stripe is a combination of both yellow and orange. Take a look below to compare the two birds.
Goldcrest
Firecrest
Habitat and breeding behaviour
RSPB distribution map of Firecrests
Firecrests prefer the comfort of evergreen forest areas, which is the the best place to spot one. Look out for broadleaf forests with an abundance of oak and alder, otherwise you may find Firecrests in habitat among holly (winter) and beech.
On (very) rare occasions they have been known to visit gardens, but you would be lucky for this to happen. In most cases, you’ll will need to actively seek them in the wild. However, according to Wikipedia, “they can thrive in fairly urban areas, provided that suitable habitat is available in parks and gardens.”
In the UK, most breeding takes place in the south-east of England and generally begins in March and April; a typical clutch consists of between 7 – 12 eggs, which are then incubated for approximately around 15 days before hatching. It then takes a further 8 to 10 days before the young Firecrests are fully fledged.
What do Firecrests eat?
Firecrests are 100% insectivorous, and you will never see one eating “standard” bird food such as sunflower hearts, wild bird seed or wild bird peanuts. Their diet consists primarily of arthropods such as spiders, which they search for in the upper surface of tree branches and on the leaves of deciduous trees.
In the garden, it may be possible to feed softened mealworms and, as such, the potential for them to feed on various insect suet foods, such as mealworm suet pellets and blocks.
“The Latinate term ignicapillus is derived from ignis, which means fire, and capillus, which means hair: therefore, Fire Hair.”
In my garden we feed the goldfinch ninja seeds they love them a full feeder last about a week, we can have as many as 15 in the mid morning,right next to our back kitchen window, so tame they don’t bother about us in the house.
All our friends come to see them feed, lovely. Barry ,scotch corner,
Incorrect labelling under photos of goldcrest and firecrest.
Have just had a couple of Firecrests at really close-up view. We are in St Erth in Cornwall. We have goldcrests, so could see obvious difference. We have a couple of acres, an they were bobbing around some large sawn logs. Was within 10 feet or so, not seem wary at all.
A pair here a month ago, again, really close, and the male just looked into my window! Now perusing the bramble hedge. Also in Cornwall, near Penryn.
Have seen Firecrests a few times this winter. Our garden is on a slope so we see them from above and they’re very distinctive from that angle! We live in Plymouth, Devon and have a tiny walled garden about 2 miles from the coast, not far from a park and a railway line so plenty of trees shrubs and wildflowers nearby. The garden is south-facing so quite warm, even in February. The Firecrests use our telephone cables to perch up high and then fly down to the blackthorn hedge and from there to the evening primrose and teasel seed heads. There must be insects overwintering in these. They spend a good long time feeding on them so they must harbour plenty of food. Because the gardens on our road are so small, there are no tall trees very near so perhaps the telephone wires are a useful substitute. There’s other shrubs in our garden but they appear to prefer the thorns. There are medium height trees in our neighbours’ gardens but the Firecrests seem to ignore these.
My husband and I saw a firecrest today in the garden eating at the bird station . We have never seen one before fantastic! We live in Northants .
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I have recently been having regular visits from a pair of goldcrests in my garden they have been feeding on the bird blocks i put out for the birds i feel really privileged that they visit my garden,
I’ve just seen a firecrest in my sister’s garden in Loughborough,this seems to be an unusual occurrence? I’ve not seen one before I must admit,and I’ve been around…
Today I saw one in the Tesco Car park in Leighton Buzzard. I was amazed. I have never seen one before.
I saw a Firecrest today in woodland in Bridport, Dorset! So tiny!
I have had a firecrest visiting my garden for the past three days, it spends five or ten minutes at a time on the same rose bush. I have read that this species is rarely seen in gardens. I live in Pershore Worcestershire.
WOW >>> Just been watching the most beautiful teenie weenie bird goingin & out of our box in yard @ Walsall / West Midlands … never ever seen one B4 … appears 2B a Firecrest !!! Absolutely stunning & feel very privileged as the RSPB site advises: The Firecrest is an incredibly rare bird in the UK – part of the Kinglet family – there are only 550 known breeding pairs !!!
saw a firecrest in my garden this week, it seemed unfazed by me standing about 10 foot away , I even managed to snap a couple of photos using my phone
No, sorry, this is another Goldcrest, the Firecrest’s much commoner close relative.
A FireCrest stopped for a rest and perched for a couple of minutes on a Buddleia bush in my garden on 19th April. I did not have enough time to take a picture! The location is a village in East Yorkshire 20 miles south east of York. Quite exciting to see this as the Fire crest is such a rare bird, especially as far north as Yorkshire. We could put this down to (a) the climate changes and (b) the low pollution and traffic caused by the virus shut-down.
As I was working under the trees at the rear of my garden I was visited by firecrest male and I think a juvenile never seen one before lovely . We live in Bishopton on the Clyde coast in Scotland . I see that this bird is only listed as being native to southern areas ! Have they been seen here before ?
We live in Walkden Lancashire . A young firecrest was bobbing about in our 13 foot fir tree . It was not frightened by our close proximetry jumping from the tree to the conservatory window . I took photos on my phone and video. A fantastic , lovely, sight in the lockdown.
Have just found a poor little dead bird in my garden near Inverkeilor in Scotland and I think it’s a firecrest
Came across a charming group of goldcrests in a very urban square, central Margate, north-east Kent, that has some large trees but also a lot of traffic and people moving about. They seemed to not be phased at all by the activity around them as they searched the bark of the trees and one even flew straight up to me as if to investigate, landing on the open ground less than two meters away…… wonderful! They communicated with each other most of the time, some seemed to have a more orange coloured flash on their heads than the bright yellow of the majority.
I think I saw one of these tiny little things hopping around in the leaves of a clutch of beech trees. So delicate and tiny but brightly coloured. It was by a garden centre, open fields around but loads of woods too. Langley near Macclesfield, Cheshire.
There’s one outside my office window searching the hydrangea heads for insects. It’s not shy, and didn’t fly away when I dropped some mealworms on the sill hoping to tempt it. In Calstock, Cornwall.
We live in Godolphin Cross in Cornwall and we have a little Firecrest regularly visit our garden. We’ve recently changed from feeding the birds peanuts to suet pellets which is probably the reason he hangs out in our garden.
Redcar N Yorkshire I have just been watching 16 firecrests eating the seeds off lavender and other plants for about 20 minutes. I have a photo of some of them although not too good, taken though the window. Time 10am
these are not fire crests these are gold finches – how wonderful to see so many :0)
Severn Stoke, Worcestershire
First sighting. A firecrest visited my garden yesterday. Checked the differences between the goldcrest and the firecrest, and it was definitely the latter, with the distinctive orange crest.
I’ve been supporting fire crests in Bournemouth gardens for the past couple of weeks. They really don’t like keeping still!
I’ve just seen this bird the last couple of days in my garden in London SW14 , is this a firecrest.
It keeps coming up to my kitchen window , really close
No, I’m afraid that’s the much commoner Goldcrest.
Another photo
I have been very lucky to spot a female firecrest. They are not the easiest birds to find and identify using the filters on the internet!
I have a firecrest in the camelia tree outside of my bedroom window each year around this time and into the New Year. I first saw one when it attacked its reflection and the bright crest on its head was showing. I live in North Cornwall.
Firecrest at the railway embankment at the bottom of my garden I folkestone
Just had a Firecrest fly into the window. Held it for 10 minutes while it recovered as it was lying on its back. Pleased to say it flew away 10 minutes later. Location, Littleworth Common