One of the tiniest birds that I see in the winter months is the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula). Birds of this species so small—about 3.5-4.3 in (9-11 cm) in length—and frenetic that it is rare for me to get an unobstructed view of one.
Even rarer, though, is a look at the ruby “crown,” which is usually hidden. If you look really closely at the top of the kinglet’s head in the first photo you can see a trace of red, but nothing more. The second shot provides a good look at the body of a kinglet with its head buried in the vegetation.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ruby-crowned Kinglets are “restless, acrobatic birds that move quickly through foliage, typically at lower and middle levels. They flick their wings almost constantly as they go.” Despite their energetic behavior, they do not need much food. “Metabolic studies on Ruby-crowned Kinglets suggest that these tiny birds use only about 10 calories (technically, kilocalories) per day.” Yikes!
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a cutie. Thanks for sharing!!
That first shot is great ! A perpetual motion machine, so getting these is that much better.
Nice post and images, Mike.
We’re currently inundated with these little bug eaters. I even managed a few photos of some showing off their crown.
Beautiful litt