Editing Common firecrest

{{short description|Very small passerine bird from Europe and northwest Africa}}
{{Speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Regulus ignicapilla'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22735002A87781502 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735002A87781502.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = Common firecrest Franconville 03.jpg
| image_upright = 1.1
| image_caption = Male of [[Subspecies#Nomenclature|nominate subspecies]]  in [[France]]
| taxon = Regulus ignicapilla
| authority = ([[Coenraad Jacob Temminck|Temminck]], 1820)
| range_map = RegulusIgnicapillaIUCN.svg
| range_map_upright = 1.1
| range_map_caption = Range of ''R. ignicapilla''{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#008000|Resident|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#007FFF|Non-breeding|outline=gray}} 
}}

The '''common firecrest''' ('''''Regulus ignicapilla'''''), also known as the '''firecrest''', is a very small [[passerine]] bird in the [[kinglet]] family. It breeds in most of [[Temperateness|temperate]] Europe and northwestern Africa, and is partially [[bird migration|migratory]], with birds from central Europe wintering to the south and west of their breeding range. Firecrests in the [[Balearic Islands]] and north Africa are widely recognised as a separate [[subspecies]], but the population on [[Madeira]], previously also treated as a subspecies, is now treated as a distinct species, the [[Madeira firecrest]], ''Regulus madeirensis''. A fossil ancestor of the firecrest has been identified from a single wing bone.

This kinglet is greenish above and has whitish underparts. It has two white wingbars, a black eye stripe and a white [[supercilium]]. The head crest, orange in the male and yellow in the female, is [[display (zoology)|displayed]] during breeding, and gives rise to the English and scientific names for the species. This bird superficially resembles the [[goldcrest]], which largely shares its European range, but the firecrest's bronze shoulders and strong face pattern are distinctive. The [[Bird vocalization|song]] is a repetition of high thin notes, slightly lower-pitched than those of its relative.

The common firecrest breeds in [[Flowering plant|broadleaved]] or [[pinophyta|coniferous]] woodland and gardens, building its compact, three-layered nest on a tree branch. Seven to twelve eggs are incubated by the female alone. Both parents feed the chicks, which [[fledge]] 22–24 days after hatching. This kinglet is constantly on the move and frequently hovers as it searches for insects to eat, and in winter it is often found with flocks of [[tit (bird)|tits]]. Despite some possible local declines, the species is not the subject of significant conservation concerns owing to its large European population and an expansion of its range over the last century. It may be hunted and killed by [[Bird of prey|birds of prey]], and can carry parasites. It is possible that this species was the original "king of the birds" in European folklore.

== Description ==

The common firecrest is a small plump bird, {{convert|9|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length with a wingspan of {{convert|13|–|16|cm|in|abbr=on}},<ref name=BWP/> and weighs {{convert|4|–|7|g|oz}}. It has bright olive-green upperparts with a bronze-coloured patch on each shoulder, and whitish underparts washed with brownish-grey on the breast and flanks. It has two white wingbars, a tiny black pointed bill, and brownish-black legs. The head pattern is striking, with a black eye stripe, long white [[supercilium]], and a crest which is bright yellow in the female and mainly orange in the male. The sexes are very similar, apart from the crest colour, although the female is a little duller in [[plumage]] and on average slightly smaller. Juveniles have a grey tinge to the duller upperparts, and lack the coloured crown; the other head markings are present, but duller than in the adult. By their first winter, only the [[flight feather|flight]] and tail feathers remain [[moulting|unmoulted]], and the young birds are virtually indistinguishable from the adults in the field. This kinglet usually hops with its body held horizontally, and its flight is weak and whirring, with occasional quick evasive turns.<ref name= Baker/>

Adult firecrests are unlikely to be confused with any other species; [[Pallas's warbler]] has a similar head and wing pattern, but its crown stripe is pale lemon, not bright yellow or orange, and its supercilium is also pale yellow, not bright white. The juvenile common firecrest might be confused with the goldcrest, but usually shows enough face pattern to distinguish it from its relative, which has a very plain face at all ages.<ref name= Baker/> The firecrest can also be separated from Pallas's warbler by the warbler's pale crown stripe and yellow rump. There is more likelihood of confusing the juvenile firecrest with the [[yellow-browed warbler]], which has a similar head pattern; the warbler (an Asiatic species) has pale fringes to the feathers of the closed wing, a whitish belly and darker brown legs. The yellow-browed warbler also lacks the pale half circle present below the young firecrest's eye.<ref name= Barthel>{{cite journal | last= Barthel | first= Peter H | year=2003 | title= Juvenile firecrests ''Regulus ignicapilla'' as a confusion risk with yellow-browed ''Phylloscopus inornatus'' and Pallas's warblers ''P. proregulus'' | journal= [[Limicola (journal)|Limicola]] | volume= 17 | issue = 3 |language = de | pages= 139–151}}</ref>

== Taxonomy and systematics ==
[[File:Regulus ignicapillus Roitelet triple-bandeau.jpg|thumb|A temporarily stunned adult male found on a pavement in [[Lille]], France. The pattern on its head is seen clearly.]]

The kinglets are a small group of birds sometimes included in the [[Old World warbler]]s, but frequently given family status,<ref name = BB852 >{{cite journal |last= Monroe |first= Burt L. |date=February 1992 |title= The new DNA-DNA avian classification: What's it all about? |journal= [[British Birds (magazine)|British Birds]] |volume=85 |issue= 2|pages=53–61 }}</ref> especially as recent research shows that, despite superficial similarities, the crests are [[phylogenetic]]ally remote from the warblers.<ref name= Barker>{{cite journal | last= Barker | first= F Keith | author2=Barrowclough, George F|author3=Groth, Jeff G | year = 2002 | title= A phylogenetic hypothesis for passerine birds: taxonomic and biogeographic implications of an analysis of nuclear DNA sequence data  | journal= [[Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B]] | volume= 269  | pages= 295&ndash;308 | doi = 10.1098/rspb.2001.1883 | pmid=11839199 | pmc=1690884 | issue=1488}}</ref><ref name= Spicer>{{cite journal | last= Spicer | first= Greg S |author2=Dunipace, Leslie | year= 2004 | title= Molecular phylogeny of songbirds (Passeriformes) inferred from mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences  | journal= Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume= 30 | issue= 2 | pages= 325&ndash;335 | url = http://online.sfsu.edu/~gs/spicer/pages/spicerpdf/spicerdunipace04.pdf| doi =  10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00193-3 | pmid=14715224}}</ref><ref name= alstrom>{{cite journal | last= Alström | first= Per | author2= Ericson, Per G P | author3= Olsson, Urban | author4= Sundberg, Per | year= 2006 | title= Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea | journal= Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume= 38 | issue= 2 | pages= 381&ndash;397 | url= http://www.nrm.se/download/18.4e1d3ca810c24ddc70380001143/Alstr%C3%B6m+et+al+Sylvioidea+MPEV+2006.pdf | doi= 10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.015 | pmid= 16054402 | access-date= 2010-11-24 | archive-date= 2021-06-27 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210627134311/https://www.nrm.se/download/18.4e1d3ca810c24ddc70380001143/Alstr%C3%B6m+et+al+Sylvioidea+MPEV+2006.pdf | url-status= dead }}</ref> The names of the family [[Regulidae]], and the genus ''[[kinglet|Regulus]]'', are derived from the [[Latin]] ''regulus'', a diminutive of ''rex'', "a king",<ref name = Chambers>{{cite book | title = The Chambers Dictionary | edition = 9th | year =2006 | publisher = Chambers | location = Edinburgh | pages = 223, 735, 1277 | isbn = 978-0-550-10185-3| title-link = Chambers Dictionary }}</ref> and refer to the characteristic orange or yellow crests of adult kinglets. The common firecrest was first formally [[species description|described]] by Dutch zoologist [[Coenraad Jacob Temminck]] in 1820 as ''Sylvia ignicapilla'';<ref name= Temminck >{{cite book | last = Temminck | first = Coenraad Jacob | author-link = Coenraad Jacob Temminck| title = Manuel d'ornithologie, ou Tableau systematique des oiseaux qui se trouvent en Europe | edition= second | year = 1820–1840 | publisher = H Cousin & E d'Ocagne | location = Paris| page = 231 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BN4TAAAAYAAJ&q=Manuel%20d'ornithologie%2C%20ou%20Tableau%20systematique%20des%20oiseaux%20qui%20se%20trouvent%20en%20Europe&pg=PA231 | language = fr}}</ref> the relatively late identification of this common European bird arose from a perception that it was just a variety of the goldcrest.<ref name= Wood>{{cite book | last = Wood | first = Neville | year = 1836 | title = British song birds: being popular descriptions and anecdotes of the choristers of the groves | location = London| publisher = John W Parker | pages = [https://archive.org/details/britishsongbirds00wood/page/143 143]–145 | url = https://archive.org/details/britishsongbirds00wood| quote = British song birds: being popular descriptions and anecdotes of the choristers of the groves. }}</ref> The species name is derived from Latin ''ignis'' "fire" and ''capillus'' "hair".<ref name = Chambers/> The binomial is frequently given as ''R. ignicapillus'' due to a misunderstanding of Latin grammar.<ref name= aerc2010>{{cite book | author = Crochet, P-A | author2 = Raty, L | author3 = De Smet, G | author4 = Anderson, B | author5 = Barthel, P H | author6 = Collinson, J M | author7 = Dubois, P J | author8 = Helbig, A J | author9 = Jiguet, F | author10 = Jirle, E | author11 = Knox, A G | author12 = Le Maréchal, P | author13 = Parkin, D T | author14 = Pons, J-M | author15 = Roselaar, C S | author16 = Svensson, L | author17 = van Loon, A J | author18 = Yésou, P | title = AERC TAC's Taxonomic Recommendations July 2010 | url = http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/AERC%20TAC%20recommendations%20July%202010%20version%202.0.pdf | year = 2010 | publisher = Association of European Rarity Committees (AERC) | page = 14 }}</ref>

There are two widely recognised subspecies of common firecrest, nominate ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;ignicapilla'' and Mediterranean ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;balearicus'' (Jordans, 1923). The latter form is found on the Balearic Islands and in north Africa, and is slightly paler below and greyer above than the nominate subspecies.<ref name= Baker/> Other subspecies have been claimed, including southeastern ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;caucasicus'', North African ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;laeneni'',<ref name="Packert"/> and [[Crimea]]n ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;tauricus''.<ref name= Redkin>{{cite journal | last= Redkin | first= Y A|  year= 2001| title=  A new subspecies of Firecrest ''Regulus ignicapillus'' (Temminck, 1820) (Regulidae, Passeriformes) from the mountains of the Crimea | journal= Ornitologia | volume= 29 | pages= 98–102 }}</ref> The [[Madeira firecrest]], ''R.&nbsp;madeirensis'', was formerly also considered to be a subspecies of the common firecrest, but [[Phylogenetics|phylogenetic]] analysis based on the [[cytochrome b|cytochrome ''b'' gene]] showed that the Madeiran form is distinct at the species level. Cytochrome ''b'' gene divergence between the Madeira firecrest and the European bird is 8.5%, comparable with the divergence level between other recognised ''Regulus'' species, such as the 9% between the goldcrest and the [[golden-crowned kinglet]].<ref name = hbw>Martens, Jochen; Päckert, Martin "Family Regulidae (Kinglets & Firecrests)" pp. 330–349 in {{cite book| editor1-last = Del Hoyo | editor1-first = Josep | editor2-last = Elliott|editor2-first=Andrew|editor3-last=Christie|editor3-first=David A | title = Handbook of the Birds of the World: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers v. 11 | year = 2006 | publisher = [[Lynx Edicions]] | location = Barcelona | isbn = 978-84-96553-06-4 | title-link = Handbook of the Birds of the World }}</ref> The island form also differs in [[morphology (biology)|morphology]] and vocalisations.<ref name= Sangster>{{cite journal | last= Sangster | first= George | author-link = George Sangster | author2= Collinson, J Martin| author3=Helbig, Andreas J| author4=Knox, Alan G| author5=Parkin, David T. | year= 2005| title= Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: third report | journal= [[Ibis (journal)|Ibis]] | volume= 147 | issue= 4 | pages = 821–826 | doi =10.1111/j.1474-919X.2005.00483.x| s2cid= 250043960 | doi-access= free }}</ref> The proposed split was accepted by the [[Association of European Rarities Committees]] (AERC) in 2003,<ref name= aerc >{{cite book | author = AERC Taxonomy Committee | title = AERC TAC's Taxonomic Recommendations | url = http://www.aerc.eu/DOCS/AERCTACAccepted.pdf | year = 2003| publisher = [[Association of European Rarities Committees]] | page = 22}}</ref> with most other authorities also splitting it later on.

The [[flamecrest]] or Taiwan firecrest (''Regulus goodfellowi'') of Taiwan has sometimes been viewed as a race of the common firecrest; however, the flamecrest's territorial song, which resembles those of the [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] races of the goldcrest, and genetic data indicate that the flamecrest is closely related to the Himalayan goldcrest and only distantly to the two firecrest species.<ref name= flamecrest>{{cite journal | last= Päckert | first= Martin |author2=Martens, Jochen|author3=Severinghaus, Lucia Liu | year=2008 | title= The Taiwan Firecrest (''Regulus goodfellowi'') belongs to the Goldcrest assemblage (''Regulus regulus'' s. l.): evidence from mitochondrial DNA and the territorial song of the Regulidae  | journal= Journal of Ornithology | volume= 150 | issue = 1 | pages= 205–220 | doi = 10.1007/s10336-008-0335-5 | s2cid= 5626256 }}</ref> The kinglets on the [[Canary Islands]], which were also considered to be close to firecrests, have now been shown to comprise two subspecies of goldcrest.<ref name= pack2006>{{cite journal | last= Päckert | first= Martin | year=2006 | title= Song dialects as diagnostic characters—acoustic differentiation of the Canary Island Goldcrest subspecies ''Regulus regulus teneriffae'' Seebohm 1883 and ''R. r. ellenthalerae'' Päckert et al. 2006 (Aves: Passeriformes: Regulidae) | journal= Zootaxa | volume= 1325 | pages= 99–115| doi= 10.11646/zootaxa.1325.1.7 }}</ref>

=== Fossils ===
There are a few [[Pleistocene]] (2.6&nbsp;million to 12,000&nbsp;years ago) records from Europe and Israel of extant ''Regulus'' species, mostly goldcrests or unidentifiable to species, but also a Spanish specimen of firecrest. A left [[ulna]] from Bulgaria was identified as belonging to a fossil species, ''[[Regulus bulgaricus]]'', from 2.6&ndash;1.95&nbsp;[[mya (unit)|mya]]. This appears to be ancestral to the common firecrest, with the goldcrest diverging from this lineage in the Middle Pleistocene.<ref name=Boev>{{cite journal|last=Boev |first=Zlatozar |year=1999 |title=''Regulus bulgaricus'' sp. n. – the first fossil Kinglet (Aves: Sylviidae) from the Late Pliocene of Varshets, Western Bulgaria |journal=Historia Naturalis Bulgarica |volume=10 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/31093140#page/111/mode/1up |pages=109–115}}</ref>

== Distribution and habitat ==

[[File:Mature Cork Oak.jpg|thumb|Cork woodland is favoured for breeding.]]
The common firecrest breeds in lowland [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests|broadleaf forest]], preferring [[Quercus suber|cork oak]] and [[alder]] where available, otherwise [[beech]] and [[holly]]. It also uses mixed broadleaf and [[pinophyta|conifer]] woodland, and stands of [[spruce]], [[abies alba|European silver fir]], [[Cedrus|cedar]] and [[pine]]s, often with undergrowth of [[juniper]], [[ivy]] and wild [[rose]]. In drier [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] habitats it is found in conifers, evergreen oak, and mixed woodlands up to {{convert|2800|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Baker/> Unlike more specialised birds such as [[Eurasian nuthatch]] and [[Eurasian treecreeper|common treecreeper]], both of which forage on trunks, the crests do not need large woodlands, and their population density is independent of forest size.<ref name="Tellería">{{cite journal|last=Telleria |first=J L |author2=Santos, T |year=1995 |title=Effects of forest fragmentation on a guild of wintering passerines: the role of habitat selection |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=71 |pages=61–67 |url=http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/bcv/pdf/1995_BiolCons_71_61.pdf |doi=10.1016/0006-3207(94)00021-H |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012051031/http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/bcv/pdf/1995_BiolCons_71_61.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-12 }}</ref> In winter it is less reliant on conifers than the goldcrest, moving from forest to fringes and scrub. It occurs singly or in pairs, spending much time in the tree canopy, although frequently venturing into bushes and other lower vegetation.<ref name= Baker/> This species can thrive in fairly urban areas, provided that suitable habitat is available in parks or large gardens; population densities in gardens can be comparable with the maximum levels found in natural habitats.<ref name=Palomino>{{cite journal | last= Palomino | first= David | author2= Carrascal, Luis M | year= 2006 | title= Urban influence on birds at a regional scale: A case study with the avifauna of northern Madrid province | journal= Landscape and Urban Planning | volume= 77 | issue= 3 | pages= 276–290 | url= http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/lmcarrascal/pdf/leup2004.pdf | doi= 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2005.04.003 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080907081825/http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/lmcarrascal/pdf/leup2004.pdf | archive-date= 2008-09-07 }}</ref><ref name= witt>{{cite journal | last= Witt | first= Klaus |author2=Mitschke, Alexander|author3=Luniak, Maciej |date=December 2005| title= A comparison of common breeding bird populations in Hamburg, Berlin and Warsaw | journal = Acta Ornithologica | volume= 40 | issue = 2 | pages= 139–146 | doi = 10.3161/068.040.0209| doi-access= free }}</ref>

The nominate subspecies breeds in Europe from southern England, France, Spain and Portugal east to Belarus, northwestern Ukraine, and Greece, and north to the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] and southern Latvia. There are isolated populations east of the main range in [[Abkhazia]], the [[Crimea]] and Turkey. Its range lies between the {{convert|16|and|24|C|F}} July [[contour line|isotherms]].<ref name=BWP>{{cite book| editor1-last = Snow | editor1-first = David |editor2-last=Perrins|editor2-first=Christopher M| title = The Birds of the Western Palearctic concise edition (2 volumes) | publisher = Oxford University Press |year = 1998| location = Oxford | pages = 1346–1348 |isbn = 978-0-19-850188-6}}</ref> Southern birds are largely resident, unlike northern and eastern populations which are [[bird migration|migratory]], wintering mainly in Mediterranean areas and the far west of Europe from Portugal north to Britain. ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;balearicus'' is resident in the Balearic Islands and the northern parts of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.<ref name= Baker>{{cite book | last = Baker | first = Kevin |title = Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa (Helm Identification Guides) | year = 1997 | publisher = Helm| isbn =978-0-7136-3971-1 |pages = 383–384 | location = London| title-link = Helm Identification Guides }}</ref> This species has been recorded as a [[vagrancy (biology)|vagrant]] from Norway, Finland, Estonia, Cyprus, Egypt and Lebanon.<ref name =hbw/><ref name="BirdLife">{{cite web | title = BirdLife International Species factsheet: ''Regulus ignicapilla '' | publisher = [[BirdLife International]] | url = http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=112556 | access-date = 4 July 2010}}</ref> In July 2020, it was reported that the common firecrest was now nesting in at least two locations in southern Finland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tulipäähippiäinen liittyi Suomen pesimälinnustoon |trans-title=Common firecrest joins Finland's nesting birds |url=https://www.birdlife.fi/tiedote-20200708/ |website=Birdlife Finland |access-date=8 July 2020 |language=fi}}</ref>

== Behaviour and ecology==

=== Breeding ===
[[File:Regulus Ignicapilla Singing with Crest.jpg|thumb|Singing with crest displayed in a hazelnut tree. [[Capranica, Lazio|Capranica]], Italy.]]
[[File:Regulus ignicapilla MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.207.jpg|thumb|Eggs of ''Regulus ignicapilla'' – [[MHNT]]]]
The common firecrest is [[monogamy in animals|monogamous]]. The male sings during the breeding season, often with its crest raised, and has a [[display (zoology)|display]]  which involves pointing its bill at another bird, showing the crest and strong face pattern. This differs from the display of the plainer-faced goldcrest, which bows its head to emphasise the crest. The breeding territory is about {{convert|0.5|ha|acre|abbr=off}}, and may overlap with neighbouring goldcrest territories. Firecrests will sometimes defend their territories against goldcrests with the crest raised and a great deal of wing-fluttering,<ref name= Simms/> but the amount of actual competition between the species may not be very great. A Spanish study suggested that territorial conflicts between the species, and other phenomena like males singing mixed or alternating songs, were most frequent when one species locally far outnumbered the other;<ref name= Becker>{{cite journal| last= Becker | first= Peter H | year= 1977 | title= Verhalten auf Lautäußerungen der Zwillingsart, interspezifische Territorialität und Habitatansprüche von Winter- und Sommergoldhähnchen (''Regulus regulus'', ''R. ignicapillus'') |language = de | journal= Journal für Ornithologie | volume= 118 | issue = 3 | pages= 233–260 | doi = 10.1007/BF01643534| s2cid= 29890907 }}</ref> in other circumstances, the two kinglets learned to ignore each other's songs. In his courtship display the male firecrest raises his crest, points it towards his mate and hovers over her before mating takes place.<ref name= Simms/>

The nest is often suspended from a hanging branch usually at no great altitude, although [[Eric Simms (ornithologist)|Eric Simms]] reported nests at heights from {{convert|2.5|to|20|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Simms/> Firecrests may favour breeding close to [[Eurasian goshawk]] nests. That large bird will prey on potential predators of the firecrest such as [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]]s, and nest robbers like [[eastern grey squirrel|grey squirrel]]s, [[Eurasian jay]]s and [[great spotted woodpecker]]s.<ref name= BB103>{{cite journal| last= Mawson | first= Geoff |date=April 2010| title= Apparent nesting association of Northern Goshawks and Firecrests | journal= British Birds | volume= 103 | pages= 243–244}}</ref> As is typical for the family, the [[bird nest|nest]] is a closed cup built in three layers with a small entrance hole near its top. The nest's outer layer is made from moss, small twigs, cobwebs and lichen, the spider webs also being used to attach the nest to the thin branches that support it. The middle layer is moss, and this is lined with feathers (up to 3,000) and hair.<ref name=BWP/> The nest is smaller, deeper and more compact than that of the goldcrest, about {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} across and {{convert|5|–|7|cm|in|abbr=on}} deep, with a wall thickness of about {{convert|2|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Simms/> The nest is constructed by the female alone, although the male will accompany the female while she builds the nest over a period of a few days to three weeks.<ref name =hbw/>

Laying starts in western Europe at the end of April, and in the east of the range in late May; second [[clutch (eggs)|clutches]], which are common, commence in June to July.<ref name=BWP/> The eggs are pink with very indistinct reddish markings at the broad end,<ref name= Seebohm >{{cite book | last = Seebohm | first = Henry | author-link = Henry Seebohm | title = Coloured Figures of the Eggs of British Birds | url = https://archive.org/details/colouredfigureso00seeb | year = 1896| publisher = Sheffield: Pawson and Brailsford |page = [https://archive.org/details/colouredfigureso00seeb/page/209 209], plate 53 }}</ref> unlike those of Madeira firecrest which are described as like those of a ''[[Leaf-warbler|Phylloscopus]]'' warbler (white with some brown speckles).<ref name= Simms>{{cite book | last = Simms | first = Eric |title = British Warblers (New Naturalist Series) | year = 1985| location = London| publisher = Collins | page = 370 |isbn =978-0-00-219810-3 }}</ref> The eggs are {{convert|14|x|10|mm|in|abbr=on}} and weigh {{convert|0.7|g|oz|abbr=on}}, of which 5% is shell.<ref name = BTO>{{cite web|title= Firecrest '' Regulus ignicapilla '' [Temminck, 1820]|work= BTOWeb BirdFacts |date= 16 July 2010 | url= http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob13150.htm |publisher=[[British Trust for Ornithology]] |access-date=17 October 2010}}</ref> The clutch size in Europe is 7–12 eggs, but probably smaller in northwest Africa. The female incubates the eggs for 14.5 to 16.5 days to hatching, and broods the chicks, which [[fledge]] eight to ten days later. Both parents feed the chicks and fledged young.<ref name=BWP/> This species becomes sexually mature after one year, and has a life expectancy of less than two years.<ref name = BTO/>

Although their ranges overlap substantially, [[hybrid (biology)|hybridisation]] between goldcrests and firecrests seems to be prevented by differences in courtship rituals and different facial patterns. Even in aviary studies in which a female goldcrest was given an artificial eyestripe to facilitate mating with a male firecrest, the chicks were never raised by the mixed pair, and appeared to be poorly adapted compared to the parent species.<ref name =hbw/>

=== Feeding ===

[[File:Orchesella cincta.jpg|upright|thumb|Firecrest parents mainly feed young chicks during their first four days of life with [[springtail]]s (average length 4&nbsp;mm) after which time larger food items are given as the chicks grow.]]
All species of kinglet are almost exclusively [[insectivore|insectivorous]], preying on small [[arthropod]]s with soft [[cuticle]]s, such as [[springtail]]s, [[aphid]]s and spiders. They also feed on the [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoon]]s and eggs of spiders and insects, and occasionally take pollen. All species will hover to catch flying insects. Although the similarly sized firecrest and goldcrest are often found together, there are a number of factors that reduce direct competition for food. Common firecrests prefer larger prey than goldcrests. Although both will take trapped insects from spider webs on autumn migration, firecrests will also eat the large [[orb-weaver spider|orb-web spider]]s (on rare occasions kinglets have been found stuck in a spider web, either unable to move or dead).<ref name = hbw/>

The common firecrest feeds in trees, exploiting mainly the upper surface of branches in [[pinophyta|conifer]]ous habitat and of leaves in deciduous trees. This is in contrast to the goldcrest, which frequently feeds on the undersides of branches and leaves. In winter, flocks of common firecrests cover a given distance about three times faster than do goldcrests, and ignore the smallest prey items preferred by their relative; large invertebrates are killed by beating them repeatedly against a branch.<ref name = hbw/> The differences in behaviour are facilitated by subtle morphological differences; firecrests have broader bills with longer [[feather|rictal bristle]]s (which protect a bird's eye from food items it is trying to capture), and these features reflect the larger prey taken by the species. The firecrest's less forked tail may reflect its longer episodes of hovering while hunting. Firecrests forage more often while standing, and have a foot better adapted for perching, whereas the goldcrest's longer hind toe reflects its habit of moving vertically along branches while feeding. It also has a deep grooves in the soles of its feet capable of gripping individual needles, while firecrests have a smoother underside to the foot.<ref name= Leisler >{{cite journal | last= Leisler | first= Bernd |author2=Thaler, Ellen | year=1982 | title= Differences in morphology and foraging behaviour in the goldcrest ''Regulus regulus'' and firecrest ''R. ignicapillus'' | journal= Annales Zoologici Fennici | volume= 19 | pages= 277–284 | url = http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anzf19/anz19-277-284.pdf }}</ref>

Young common firecrests are fed almost exclusively with springtails; larger food items are not accepted, and spiders are occasionally regurgitated. From the fifth day onwards, the nestling diet includes aphids and a high amount of snail shells, the latter being needed for bone growth. After the second week, the food includes larger moths and caterpillars, as well as various arthropods typically avoided by adults, such as [[Opiliones|harvestmen]], [[earwig]]s, and [[centipede]]s.<ref name="hbw"/>

In winter, the firecrest joins loose flocks of other wanderers such as [[tit (bird)|tits]] and warblers.<ref name= Baker/> This kinglet, like other species that prefer [[mixed-species foraging flock]]s in winter, hunts over a greater range of heights and vegetation types than when feeding alone. For species that tend to feed in flocks, foraging success while in a flock was about twice that for solitary birds.<ref name=Herrera>{{cite journal|last=Herrera |first=Carlos M |year=1979 |title=Ecological aspects of heterospecific flocks formation in a Mediterranean passerine bird community |journal=Oikos |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=85–96 |url=http://www.plant-animal.es/pdfs/Herrera.1979.Oikos.pdf |doi=10.2307/3544516 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720143131/http://www.plant-animal.es/pdfs/Herrera.1979.Oikos.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-20 |jstor=3544516 }}</ref> In some areas, wintering birds have developed the habit of coming to feeding stations and bird tables for fatty food, sometimes with goldcrests or warblers such as the [[common chiffchaff]] and [[blackcap]].<ref name= Simms/> The kinglet's digestive system is adapted to an entirely insectivorous diet, whereas ''[[typical warbler|Sylvia]]'' warblers include fruit in their autumn diet. A Spanish study compared that genus with the insectivorous firecrest and ''[[Leaf-warbler|Phylloscopus]]'' warblers. The results showed that, relative to body weight, the insect-eaters had shorter intestines, but longer gut passage times than the ''Sylvia'' species. The insect-eaters are also generally slightly smaller than the [[omnivore]]s.<ref name= Jordano >{{cite journal | last= Jordano | first= Pedro | year= 1987 | title= Frugivory, external morphology and digestive system in Mediterranean sylviid warblers ''Sylvia'' spp. | journal= Ibis | volume= 129 | pages= 175–189 | url= http://ebd10.ebd.csic.es/pdfs/Jordano_1987_Ibis_Sylvia%20morphology%20and%20frugivory.pdf | doi= 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1987.tb03199.x | hdl= 10261/45050 | access-date= 2010-10-28 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130620203613/http://ebd10.ebd.csic.es/pdfs/Jordano_1987_Ibis_Sylvia%20morphology%20and%20frugivory.pdf | archive-date= 2013-06-20 | url-status= dead | hdl-access= free }}</ref>

=== Voice ===
The [[Bird vocalization|contact call]] is three or four thin high notes, similar to that of [[goldcrest]], but slightly lower in pitch,<ref name= Mullarney>{{cite book | last = Mullarney | first = Killian | author-link = Killian Mullarney |author2=Svensson, Lars |author2-link=Lars Svensson (ornithologist)|author3=Zetterstrom, Dan|author3-link=Zetterstrom, Dan|author4=Grant, Peter J.|author4-link=Grant, Peter J. |title = Collins Bird Guide | year = 1999 | publisher = London: Collins | page = 336| isbn = 978-0-00-219728-1| title-link = Collins Bird Guide }}</ref> ''zit-zit-zit'' rather than ''see-see-see''.<ref name= Simms/> The song is a succession of call notes in a longer and slightly more varied sequence. Typically there are 11–14 notes per song, becoming louder and faster, with the final three notes slightly different from the preceding ones: ''zit-zit-zit-zit-zit-zit-zit-zit-zit-zit-zirt.zirt.zirt''. The song usually lasts 0.5–2.5 seconds, shorter than the 3.5–4.0 seconds for the goldcrest, and may be repeated up to eight times a minute. In May and June, singing is most frequent after dawn, but continues less often throughout the day. Later in the breeding season, song becomes largely confined to the morning.<ref name= Simms/>

The song of the Mediterranean subspecies of common firecrest, ''R.&nbsp;i.&nbsp;balearicus'', is very similar to that of the [[Subspecies#Nomenclature|nominate]] form, but one factor in separating the Madeiran firecrest from common firecrest is that the island bird's song is divided into three phrases, two of them consisting of modified display and anger calls. Its display calls also use a larger frequency range and more [[harmonic]]s than those of the continental subspecies.<ref name= Packert>{{cite journal | last= Päckert | first= Martin |author2=Martens, Jochen|author3=Hofmeister, Tanja |date=January 2001 | title= Lautäußerungen der Sommergoldhähnchen von den Inseln Madeira und Mallorca (''Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis, R. i. balearicus'') | journal= [[Journal für Ornithologie]] |language = de | volume= 142| issue = 1 | pages= 16–29 | doi =  10.1046/j.1439-0361.2000.00054.x}}</ref><ref name= Constantine>{{cite book | last = Constantine | first = Mark |author2=The Sound Approach| title = The Sound Approach to Birding: A Guide to Understanding Bird Sound | year = 2006 | location = Poole |  publisher = The Sound Approach | isbn =978-90-810933-1-6 |page =137 }}</ref> Male goldcrests and Madeiran firecrests sometimes show a territorial response to recordings of the songs or calls of the common firecrest, but the reverse is apparently not true, because the songs of the common firecrest are simpler in construction than those of its relatives.<ref name= Packert/><ref name= Simms/>

=== Predators and parasites ===
[[File:Accipiter nisus Meneer Zjeroen.jpg|upright|thumb|The [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]] is a major predator of small songbirds.]]

Throughout the firecrest's range, the main predator of small woodland birds is the Eurasian sparrowhawk, which takes avian prey as up to 98% of its diet.<ref name= gensbol>{{cite book | last = Génsbøl| first = Benny | title = Birds of Prey | year = 1987 |location = London | publisher = Collins | isbn = 978-0-00-219176-0 |pages = 154–156 }}</ref> The [[tawny owl]] relies more on mammalian catches, but about one-third of its food is forest birds.<ref name=Voous >{{cite book | last = Voous | first = Karel H | author-link = Karel H. Voous | others= Cameron, Ad (illustrator) |title = Owls of the Northern Hemisphere| year = 1988 |location = London | publisher = Collins | isbn =978-0-00-219493-8 |pages = 209–219}}</ref> Eggs and young may be taken by grey squirrels, Eurasian jays and great spotted woodpeckers.<ref name= BB103/> The firecrest appears to be virtually unknown as a [[host (biology)|host]] of the [[common cuckoo]], a widespread European [[brood parasite]].<ref name=soler1>{{cite journal | last= Soler | first= Juan Josė |author2=Møller, Anders Pape |date=January 1995 | title= A comparative analysis of the evolution of variation in appearance of eggs of European passerines in relation to brood parasitism  | journal= Behavioral Ecology | volume= 7 | issue = 1 | pages= 89–94 | doi=10.1093/beheco/7.1.89| doi-access= free }}</ref><ref name=soler2>{{cite journal|last=Soler |first=Juan Josė |author2=Møller, Anders Pape |author3=Soler, Manuel |year=1999 |title=A comparative study of host selection in the European cuckoo ''Cuculus canorus'' |journal=Oecologia |volume=118 |issue=2 |pages=265–276 |url=http://www.eeza.csic.es/eeza/documentos/soler_cuckoo%20host%20selection.pdf |doi=10.1007/s004420050727 |pmid=28307703 |bibcode=1999Oecol.118..265S |s2cid=17699909 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921063630/http://www.eeza.csic.es/eeza/documentos/soler_cuckoo%20host%20selection.pdf |archive-date=2010-09-21 }}</ref>

The invasive [[Argentine ant]] (''Linepithema humile'') is common in the Mediterranean area, and reduces [[arthropod]] numbers by removing most native ant species. The reduction in prey items is greatest in the tree canopy, and has a greater effect on species like the firecrest that feed high in the foliage. Less food is available for chicks, and parents have to spend more time foraging.<ref name= Argentine >{{cite journal | last= Estany-Tigerström | first= David |author2=Bas, Josep Maria|author3=Pons, Pere | year=2010 | title= Does Argentine ant invasion affect prey availability for foliage-gleaning birds?  | journal= Biological Invasions | volume= 12 | issue= 4 | pages= 827–839 | doi = 10.1007/s10530-009-9504-6| s2cid= 40826707 }}</ref>

Data on specific parasites of the firecrest is lacking, but the widespread [[moorhen flea]], ''Dasypsyllus gallinulae'' has been recorded in a related ''Regulus'' species.<ref name = Rothschild >{{cite book |title= Fleas, Flukes and Cuckoos. A study of bird parasites |author= Rothschild, Miriam |author-link= Miriam Rothschild |author2= Clay, Theresa |year= 1953 |publisher= Collins |location= London |page = 113 |url= https://archive.org/details/fleasflukescucko017900mbp |format = PDF}}</ref> A number of [[feather mite]]s have been recorded in the genus, including ''Proctophyllodes glandarinus'' on firecrest. These mites live on fungi growing on the feathers.<ref name = mites>{{cite web |author1=Schöne, Richard |author2=Schmäschke, Ronald |author3=Sachse, Margit |title=interesting facts |work=federmilben |url=http://www.federmilben.de/en/interestingfacts.html |publisher=Star-Media GmbH |access-date=2010-10-22 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180009/http://www.federmilben.de/en/interestingfacts.html |url-status=dead }} Retrieved 22 October 2010 <!-- The editors of the feather mite site are two veterinary scientists and a veterinary engineer. Two work at the Institute of Parasitology. --></ref><ref name= Krivolutsky>{{cite journal | last= Krivolutsky | first= Dmitri A |author2=Lebedeva, Natalia V | year=2004 | title= Oribatid mites (Oribatei) in bird feathers: Passeriformes | journal= Acta Zoologica Lituanica | volume= 14 | issue = 2 | pages= 19–38 | url =http://ssc-ras.ru/ras/files/pdf/prlcm_kryvolutskylebedevaazl2004-1.pdf | doi=10.1080/13921657.2004.10512577}}</ref> The fungi found on the plumage may feed on the [[keratin]] of the outer feathers or on feather oil.<ref name= fungi>{{cite journal | last= Pugh | first= G J F |date=April 1972| title=   the contamination of birds' feathers by fungi | journal= [[Ibis (journal)|Ibis]] | volume= 114 | issue = 2 | pages= 172&ndash;177 | doi =  10.1111/j.1474-919x.1972.tb02602.x}}</ref>

== Status ==

The common firecrest expanded its range in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,<ref name = Boev/> colonising northern France, followed by first breeding in the Netherlands in 1928 and Denmark in 1961.<ref name=BWP/> In Britain, it had only been recorded a handful of times by 1839,<ref name= Macgillivray >{{cite book | last = Macgillivray | first = William | title = A History of British Birds, Indigenous and Migratory: Volume 2. Cantatores, songsters | year = 1839| location = London |publisher = Scott, Webster, and Geary  |page = 417}}</ref> but first bred in 1962,<ref name=BWP/> and is now widespread as a breeding bird in much of southern England.<ref name = BTO/> Milder winters have meant that more birds can winter further north, and therefore the breeding range can expand without incurring the risks involved in lengthy migrations.<ref name= fielder>Fiedler, Wolfgang (2003) "Recent changes in migratory behaviour of birds: a compilation of field observations and ringing data" pp. 21&ndash;29 in {{cite book | editor1-last = Berthold | editor1-first = Peter | editor2-last= Gwinner|editor2-first=Eberhard|editor3-last=Sonnenschein|editor3-first=Edith | title = Avian migration  | year = 2003 | location = Heidelberg | publisher = Springer-Verlag | isbn = 978-3-540-43408-5  }}</ref> A population was found in northern Morocco in 1986.<ref name=BWP/>

Population growth may be limited by lack of suitable habitat, and there may be local declines due to loss of conifers through storms or replacement by plantations of native deciduous trees.<ref name=Hustings>{{cite journal | last= Hustings | first= Fred | year= 2002 | title= Broedende Vuurgoudhanen ''Regulus ignicapillus'' in Nederland: hoe het verder ging | journal= Limosa | volume= 75 | pages= 85–90 | url= http://www.sovon.nl/pdf/LIM-75_3-02-hustings.pdf | language= nl | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718073357/http://www.sovon.nl/pdf/LIM-75_3-02-hustings.pdf | archive-date= 2011-07-18 }}</ref> There may also be localised losses in areas of high [[heavy metal (chemistry)|heavy metal]] pollution, which particularly affects ground feeders like [[thrush (bird)|thrushes]] and conifer foliage gleaners, including both European ''Regulus'' species. Conifer specialists suffer from the loss and poor quality of needles, and the consequent decrease in abundance of their [[invertebrate]] food.<ref>{{cite journal | last= Eeva | first= Tapio | author2= Koivunen, Vesa | author3= Hakkarainen, Harri | year= 2002 | title= Population densities of forest birds in a heavy metal pollution gradient | journal= Avian Science | volume= 2 | pages= 1–10 | url= http://www.sci.utu.fi/biologia/tutkimus/projektit/malliprojekti/AS_density_2002.PDF | access-date= 2010-10-28 | archive-date= 2012-03-14 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120314093118/http://www.sci.utu.fi/biologia/tutkimus/projektit/malliprojekti/AS_density_2002.PDF | url-status= dead }}</ref> The common firecrest has a large range and a population estimated at 10–15&nbsp;million individuals, most in Europe. The population is believed to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or serious threats, and it is therefore classed as [[least concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

== In culture ==

[[Aristotle]] and [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] relate the legend of a contest amongst the birds to see who should be their king, the title to be awarded to the one that could fly highest. Initially, it looked as though the eagle would win easily, but as he began to tire, a small bird which had hidden under the eagle's tail feathers emerged to fly even higher and claimed the title.<ref>Aristotle, ''[[History of Animals]]'', 9.11.</ref><ref>Pliny, ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Natural History]]'', 10.74</ref> Following from this legend, in much European folklore the [[Eurasian wren|wren]] has been described as the "king of the birds" or as a flame bearer. However, these terms were also applied to the ''Regulus'' species, the fiery crowns of the goldcrest and firecrest making them more likely to be the original bearers of these titles,<ref name= zeus>{{cite book | last = Cook | first = Arthur Bernard | title = Zeus: A Study in Ancient Religion | url = https://archive.org/details/p2zeusstudyinanc02cookuoft | year = 1914 | publisher =Cambridge: Cambridge University Press |page = 52, footnote 4}}</ref> and, because of the legend's reference to the "smallest of birds" becoming king, the title was probably transferred to the equally tiny wren.<ref name = Suolahti>{{cite book | last = Suolahti | first = Viktor Hugo | title = Die deutschen Vogelnamen: eine wortgeschichtliche Untersuchung | year = 1909 | publisher = Karl J Trbner| language = de | location = Strassbourg | url = https://archive.org/stream/diedeutschenvoge00suol#page/80/mode/2up | pages =80–85 }}</ref><ref name= Cocker>{{cite book | last = Cocker | first = Mark |author2=Mabey, Richard | title= Birds Britannica |year=2005 |location = London | page =232 | publisher = Chatto & Windus | isbn = 978-0-7011-6907-7}}</ref> The confusion was assisted by the similarity and consequent interchangeability of the [[Ancient Greek]] words for the wren (βασιλεύς {{Transliteration|grc|basileus}}, "king") and the crest (βασιλισκος {{Transliteration|grc|basiliskos}}, "kinglet").<ref name= arnott>{{cite book | last = Arnott | first =William Geoffrey  | title = Birds in the ancient world from A to Z | year = 2007  | location = Abingdon | publisher = Routledge | isbn = 978-0-415-23851-9 |page = 35 }}</ref> In English, the association between the firecrest and Eurasian wren was reinforced by the kinglet's old name of "fire-crested wren".<ref name= Doubleday>{{cite book | last = Doubleday | first = Henry | location = London | title = A Nomenclature of British Birds | year = 1865 | publisher = John van Voorst | edition = 4th |page = [https://archive.org/details/anomenclaturebr00doubgoog/page/n16 10] |url = https://archive.org/details/anomenclaturebr00doubgoog| quote = A nomenclature of British birds. }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Regulus ignicapilla}}
*[http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/common-firecrest-regulus-ignicapilla Firecrest videos, photos & sounds] on the Internet Bird Collection
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141111102503/http://aulaenred.ibercaja.es/wp-content/uploads/383_FirecrestRignicapilla.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF; 2.7 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze]

{{Kinglets}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q27471}}
{{featured article}}

[[Category:Regulus (bird)|common firecrest]]
[[Category:Birds of Europe]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1820|common firecrest]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Coenraad Jacob Temminck]]