The common firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla), also known as the firecrest, is a small passerine bird from the kinglet family. It breeds across temperate Europe and northwestern Africa, with some migratory habits. Firecrests from the Balearic Islands and North Africa are considered a separate subspecies, while the Madeira firecrest (Regulus madeirensis) is recognized as a distinct species.
This bird has greenish upperparts, whitish underparts, two white wingbars, a black eye stripe, and a white supercilium. Males have an orange crest, while females have a yellow one. Firecrests resemble goldcrests but can be distinguished by their bronze shoulders and stronger facial patterns. Their song consists of high-pitched notes.
Common firecrests nest in broadleaved or coniferous woodlands, laying 7 to 12 eggs incubated by the female. Both parents care for the chicks, which fledge after 22 to 24 days. They feed on insects and often join flocks of tits in winter. While some local declines occur, the species is not facing significant conservation concerns due to its large population and expanding range.
Adult firecrests measure about 9 cm (3.5 in) long, with a wingspan of 13–16 cm (5.1–6.3 in) and weigh 4–7 grams (0.14–0.25 oz). The striking plumage makes them easily identifiable, with juveniles showing a grey tinge and duller features. They move quickly, often hopping horizontally, and have a weak, whirring flight. They can be confused with Pallas’s warbler or yellow-browed warbler but have distinct facial patterns and characteristics.
The common firecrest breeds in lowland broadleaf forests, favoring cork oak and alder, but also uses mixed woodlands and conifer stands. It inhabits drier Mediterranean habitats at elevations up to 2,800 m (9,200 ft). Unlike specialized birds like the Eurasian nuthatch, firecrests do not require large woodlands, and their population density is independent of forest size. In winter, they often move to forest edges and scrub, and they can thrive in urban areas with suitable habitats such as parks.
The nominate subspecies breeds across southern England, France, Spain, Portugal, and parts of eastern Europe, with migratory northern and eastern populations wintering mainly in Mediterranean regions. R. i. balearicus is resident in the Balearic Islands and parts of North Africa. There have been sightings outside their range in locations such as Norway and Cyprus, with recent reports of nesting in southern Finland as of July 2020.
The common firecrest is monogamous, with males singing during the breeding season and displaying by raising their crest and pointing their bill at potential mates. Their breeding territory is around 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) and can overlap with goldcrest territories, though competition between the species is generally low. Males court females by hovering above them with their crest raised.
Nests are usually built from moss, twigs, and lichen, suspended from branches at heights between 2.5 to 20 meters (8.2 to 65.6 ft). Firecrests often nest near Eurasian goshawk nests, which help deter predators. The female constructs the nest alone, with the building process taking a few days to three weeks.
Laying occurs from late April in western Europe and in late May in the east, with clutch sizes of 7–12 eggs. The female incubates for 14.5 to 16.5 days, and both parents care for the chicks, which fledge after eight to ten days. Firecrests reach sexual maturity after one year, with a life expectancy under two years. Despite overlapping ranges, hybridization with goldcrests is rare due to different courtship rituals and facial patterns.
All species of kinglet are primarily insectivorous, targeting small arthropods like springtails, aphids, and spiders. They occasionally consume the cocoons and eggs of insects, as well as pollen, and exhibit hovering behavior to catch flying prey. The common firecrest and goldcrest, though similar in size, have different feeding preferences, which reduces competition; firecrests favor larger prey and typically feed on the upper surfaces of branches, while goldcrests often forage underneath.
In winter, firecrests travel in loose flocks with other birds like tits and warblers, enhancing foraging success compared to feeding alone. Young common firecrests start with a diet of springtails, gradually including a wider variety of larger food items like moths and caterpillars. They have physiological adaptations for their insectivorous diet, such as shorter intestines compared to omnivorous birds like Sylvia warblers.
