Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 25-3-16
THIS BIRD SIGHTED 25-3-16 "To my belief the last know Dublin County sighting was 1997
So this bird makes it the only sighting THIS CENTURY FOR DUBLIN"
Lasairchíor
[order] Passeriformes | [family] Regulidae | [latin] Regulus ignicapillus | [UK] Firecrest | [FR] Roitelet à triple bandeau | [DE] Sommergoldhähnchen | [ES] Reyezuelo Listado | [IT] Fiorrancino | [NL] Vuurgoudhaan
spanwidth min.: 13 cm
spanwidth max.: 15 cm
size min.: 9 cm
size max.: 10 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 14 days
incubation max.: 17 days
fledging min.: 22 days
fledging max.: 24 days
broods 2
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 12
Status: A scarce migrant in spring and autumn to headlands along the south and east coast of Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as Secure.
Identification: Tiny, about the same size as Goldcrest. Similar behaviour to Goldcrest - very active when searching for food in vegetation. Differs mainly in the patterning of the head from Goldcrest and a good view is required to seperate the two species. Adult male Firecrests have a bright orange crown, bordered by thick black stripe on either side. Has broad white supercilium, black eyestripe and another thin white stripe below the eye. The face is otherwise grey with an orange smudge along nape. The back is green, slightly paler than on Goldcrest. Adult females have a bright yellow crown, but do not otherwise differ from males. Juveniles have a plain greenish-grey head, with a greenish supercilium.
Similar Species: Goldcrest.
Call: Main contact call is very similar to that of Goldcrest, but tends to be more uplsurred "zit zit zi-zi". The song is a high pitched note quickly repeated and is unlikely to be heard in Ireland.
Diet: Feeds almost exclusively on insects and other invertebrates.
Breeding: Does not breed in Ireland. Near endemic to Europe, with only small numbers breeding in North Africa and northern Turkey. In Continental Europe breeds in larger parks and gardens, as well as decidous woods. Less frequently in pure conifer stands.
Wintering: Firecrests breeding in Central Europe winter in southern Europe and North Africa. Occurs as a passage migrant in Ireland in autumn (only a few spring records) at headlands along the coast.
Where to See: Coastal sites such as Cape Clear in autumn from September to early November.
Physical characteristics
Marginally bulkier and seemingly larger-headed than Goldcrest. Close in character and plumage to Goldcrest but more beautiful, with head strongly striped with complete white supercilium and dusky eye-stripe and brighter plumage, greener above and often appearing frosty-white below. Patch of greenish-gold or -orange forms bright bronze shoulder-patch, lacking in Goldcrest.
Habitat
Mainly in lowlands except in Mediterranean climates. Less closely associated with conifers than Goldcrest, breeding also in mixed woodland and, in southern Spain and north-west Africa, in broad-leaved woodland, especially oak; in parks, gardens, and small copses, as well as more extensive woodland. Recently colonized breeding sites in mature mixed woodland in Britain are dominated by conifers, particularly spruce; some sites, however, mainly deciduous, dominated by oak and beech with some holly.
Other details
Regulus ignicapilla is a widespread breeder in west-central and southern Europe, which constitutes >75% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,300,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although the trend of the key population in Spain during 1990-2000 was unknown, most other populations—including those in Germany, Italy and Romania—were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.
Feeding
Arthropods, especially springtails, spiders, and aphids. Food obtained among twigs and branches in canopy, occasionally from ground.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 6,700,000-13,000,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Laying begins in western Europe from end of April, in central Europe from early May; 2nd clutches June-July. Alps: 1st clutches begun 2nd half of May, 2nd clutches July. North-west Africa, lowlands: laying begins mid-April. Nest typically built suspended in twigs near end of conifer branch. In habitats without conifers, suspended in twigs or leaves of variety of other plants, especially oak, ivy, and other climbing plants. Nest is almost spherical, elastic cup of moss, lichens, and cobwebs, of 3 main layers; outer layer of cobwebs, moss, and lichens, with cobwebs used first to fasten twigs together, middle layer of moss, and lining mainly of feathers (up to 3000) and hair; small entrance at top, restricted in size by close proximity of branch, twigs, and leaves. Clutch sizes varies from 7-12 in Europe, probably smaller in north-west Africa. Eggs are incubated for 14-16 days. Yunog fledge after 22-24 days.
Migration
Resident to partial migrant. Southern populations chiefly resident, northern and eastern populations chiefly migratory, heading between south and west (reverse in spring) to winter mainly in Mediterranean area and extreme west of Europe from Portugal north to Britain and (less regularly) Ireland. Nocturnal migrant. Limited information, due mostly to overall low numbers and inconspicuous behaviour. Apparently avoids lengthy sea-crossings: entry into Britain is chiefly via English Channel, and Mediterranean crossed at narrowest points. Autumn movement chiefly September-November; first arrivals at British observatories early September. Spring movement begins February, continuing to April or (in north) May. In Britain, passage (chiefly in south and south-east) begins in early March, peaking late March to early April. May-June coastal records suggest non-directional movements after main migration period.
Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) 25-3-16
THIS BIRD SIGHTED 25-3-16 "To my belief the last know Dublin County sighting was 1997
So this bird makes it the only sighting THIS CENTURY FOR DUBLIN"
Lasairchíor
[order] Passeriformes | [family] Regulidae | [latin] Regulus ignicapillus | [UK] Firecrest | [FR] Roitelet à triple bandeau | [DE] Sommergoldhähnchen | [ES] Reyezuelo Listado | [IT] Fiorrancino | [NL] Vuurgoudhaan
spanwidth min.: 13 cm
spanwidth max.: 15 cm
size min.: 9 cm
size max.: 10 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 14 days
incubation max.: 17 days
fledging min.: 22 days
fledging max.: 24 days
broods 2
eggs min.: 7
eggs max.: 12
Status: A scarce migrant in spring and autumn to headlands along the south and east coast of Ireland.
Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population has been evaluated as Secure.
Identification: Tiny, about the same size as Goldcrest. Similar behaviour to Goldcrest - very active when searching for food in vegetation. Differs mainly in the patterning of the head from Goldcrest and a good view is required to seperate the two species. Adult male Firecrests have a bright orange crown, bordered by thick black stripe on either side. Has broad white supercilium, black eyestripe and another thin white stripe below the eye. The face is otherwise grey with an orange smudge along nape. The back is green, slightly paler than on Goldcrest. Adult females have a bright yellow crown, but do not otherwise differ from males. Juveniles have a plain greenish-grey head, with a greenish supercilium.
Similar Species: Goldcrest.
Call: Main contact call is very similar to that of Goldcrest, but tends to be more uplsurred "zit zit zi-zi". The song is a high pitched note quickly repeated and is unlikely to be heard in Ireland.
Diet: Feeds almost exclusively on insects and other invertebrates.
Breeding: Does not breed in Ireland. Near endemic to Europe, with only small numbers breeding in North Africa and northern Turkey. In Continental Europe breeds in larger parks and gardens, as well as decidous woods. Less frequently in pure conifer stands.
Wintering: Firecrests breeding in Central Europe winter in southern Europe and North Africa. Occurs as a passage migrant in Ireland in autumn (only a few spring records) at headlands along the coast.
Where to See: Coastal sites such as Cape Clear in autumn from September to early November.
Physical characteristics
Marginally bulkier and seemingly larger-headed than Goldcrest. Close in character and plumage to Goldcrest but more beautiful, with head strongly striped with complete white supercilium and dusky eye-stripe and brighter plumage, greener above and often appearing frosty-white below. Patch of greenish-gold or -orange forms bright bronze shoulder-patch, lacking in Goldcrest.
Habitat
Mainly in lowlands except in Mediterranean climates. Less closely associated with conifers than Goldcrest, breeding also in mixed woodland and, in southern Spain and north-west Africa, in broad-leaved woodland, especially oak; in parks, gardens, and small copses, as well as more extensive woodland. Recently colonized breeding sites in mature mixed woodland in Britain are dominated by conifers, particularly spruce; some sites, however, mainly deciduous, dominated by oak and beech with some holly.
Other details
Regulus ignicapilla is a widespread breeder in west-central and southern Europe, which constitutes >75% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,300,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although the trend of the key population in Spain during 1990-2000 was unknown, most other populations—including those in Germany, Italy and Romania—were stable, and the species probably remained stable overall.
Feeding
Arthropods, especially springtails, spiders, and aphids. Food obtained among twigs and branches in canopy, occasionally from ground.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 6,700,000-13,000,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Laying begins in western Europe from end of April, in central Europe from early May; 2nd clutches June-July. Alps: 1st clutches begun 2nd half of May, 2nd clutches July. North-west Africa, lowlands: laying begins mid-April. Nest typically built suspended in twigs near end of conifer branch. In habitats without conifers, suspended in twigs or leaves of variety of other plants, especially oak, ivy, and other climbing plants. Nest is almost spherical, elastic cup of moss, lichens, and cobwebs, of 3 main layers; outer layer of cobwebs, moss, and lichens, with cobwebs used first to fasten twigs together, middle layer of moss, and lining mainly of feathers (up to 3000) and hair; small entrance at top, restricted in size by close proximity of branch, twigs, and leaves. Clutch sizes varies from 7-12 in Europe, probably smaller in north-west Africa. Eggs are incubated for 14-16 days. Yunog fledge after 22-24 days.
Migration
Resident to partial migrant. Southern populations chiefly resident, northern and eastern populations chiefly migratory, heading between south and west (reverse in spring) to winter mainly in Mediterranean area and extreme west of Europe from Portugal north to Britain and (less regularly) Ireland. Nocturnal migrant. Limited information, due mostly to overall low numbers and inconspicuous behaviour. Apparently avoids lengthy sea-crossings: entry into Britain is chiefly via English Channel, and Mediterranean crossed at narrowest points. Autumn movement chiefly September-November; first arrivals at British observatories early September. Spring movement begins February, continuing to April or (in north) May. In Britain, passage (chiefly in south and south-east) begins in early March, peaking late March to early April. May-June coastal records suggest non-directional movements after main migration period.