We had a sunny stretch of days earlier in the month, and a small visitor kept stopping by to say hi, he's Ruby-crowned Kinglet...
We think the sun reflecting on the glass must have mirrored his reflection and made him curious? We tried closing the blinds, putting strips on the window to call out the glass, nothing stopped his visits.
It was fun to watch him so close.
It's horribly blurry, but this is a shot of his wingspan coming in.
During the same time our Kinglet started coming around, I received a Substack email from photographer David Perry (here). He'd has his own interaction with a "troupe of Golden-crowned Kinglets" which was fun to read about. Of course his photos are much better than these, but his thoughts about the visit (or visits in my case) being a gift were right on.
My what big eyes you have...
Only once was I there with my phone in time to take a quick video. It's not great, but it gives you an idea of what his visits are like. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the lonely guy. He's still stopping by, although a little less frequently, I hope has found a friend.
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What a pretty bird! You've prompted me to refill the feeders visible from my office. Meeko appreciates seeing the finches and the occasional scrub jay and, from the house, she can't do any harm (unless you count perching on the kitchen counter, which is also a good viewing spot).
Yesterday was cloudy and grey and he was back again trying to get in the house. Under those conditions I can't imagine he could see his reflection, maybe it's just habit now.
You're lucky Loree, or I'm unlucky. Ive seen dozens of Ruby-crowned Kinglets over the years, but never once have I seen the almost always concealed ruby crown extended! Your bird seems to be highly triggered!
The video gives a new perspective to the expression "hitting your head against a wall"... It's nice to stop what I do every now and again, listen and watch the hustle and bustle of garden activities taking place by resident birds. I'm astonished how many are around. Thanks for the link to David Perry's contemplative mussing and wonderful photos; he is wonderful to read! Chavli
Lurker here ;-) I think, the clue as to why your little Ruby Crowned Kinglet is behaving this way, is the fact that, you can see his crown. I believe they only display it when defending territory, hence why he is attacking his reflection. I had the same happen with a Golden Crowned Kinglet, several years back. The attacks went on for several weeks and then abruptly ended. As to what changed, I have no idea but I missed it after it stopped. Enjoy it while you have him!
What a lovely little creature. It must have been fun to watch him.
Friend K was sitting in her living room a few weeks ago watching a squirrel stare intently at her picture window. Suddenly he attacked the window, flying at it and hitting the glass spread-eagled--she guessed he saw his reflection and though it was a rival.
Same sort of thing with my sister in Alaska, although in her case it was a mama moose that charged but thankfully did not break the glass. The house did shake, though.
We have had a Ruby Crowned Kinglet at our suet feeders for a month and we love to see him bopping around the garden.He and our most dominant Annas Hummingbird spend a lot of time fending each other off, despite their different diets and different feeding station areas. We also have a rare visitor, a Northern Mockingbird. He constantly attacks his reflection in our windows and is quite the bully with other birds. It’s quite the lively scene in our little woodland backgarden area! Jane / MulchMaid
Cute little bird. This would drive our cat nuts and he would be bonking his head on the window from the other direction.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I hadn't thought about that. Our house would drive a cat crazy. Crows and scrub jays are always parading around the front garden too.
DeleteI've never seen this one in our garden. Nice!
ReplyDeleteHe's pretty cute.
DeleteWhat a pretty bird! You've prompted me to refill the feeders visible from my office. Meeko appreciates seeing the finches and the occasional scrub jay and, from the house, she can't do any harm (unless you count perching on the kitchen counter, which is also a good viewing spot).
ReplyDeleteKitty TV!
DeleteOh, what a cute visitor. I've never seen one before. He loves your garden!
ReplyDeleteYesterday was cloudy and grey and he was back again trying to get in the house. Under those conditions I can't imagine he could see his reflection, maybe it's just habit now.
DeleteIf he was doing that here, the cats would be going NUTS!!! lol He's adorable, though.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Downy woodpecker move into our little slice of Heaven and he's stuck around. I've named him "Samson" because he perform feats of derring-do.
We've been calling this guy Ruby, for obvious reasons.
DeleteYou're lucky Loree, or I'm unlucky. Ive seen dozens of Ruby-crowned Kinglets over the years, but never once have I seen the almost always concealed ruby crown extended! Your bird seems to be highly triggered!
ReplyDeleteAh... good to know. I had no idea it was rare.
DeleteThe video gives a new perspective to the expression "hitting your head against a wall"...
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to stop what I do every now and again, listen and watch the hustle and bustle of garden activities taking place by resident birds. I'm astonished how many are around.
Thanks for the link to David Perry's contemplative mussing and wonderful photos; he is wonderful to read!
Chavli
I hope you signed up for DP's newsletter?
DeleteSweet little bird! I hope he finds a friend too!
ReplyDeleteHe was around again just this morning, always alone...
DeleteLurker here ;-) I think, the clue as to why your little Ruby Crowned Kinglet is behaving this way, is the fact that, you can see his crown. I believe they only display it when defending territory, hence why he is attacking his reflection. I had the same happen with a Golden Crowned Kinglet, several years back. The attacks went on for several weeks and then abruptly ended. As to what changed, I have no idea but I missed it after it stopped. Enjoy it while you have him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely little creature. It must have been fun to watch him.
ReplyDeleteFriend K was sitting in her living room a few weeks ago watching a squirrel stare intently at her picture window. Suddenly he attacked the window, flying at it and hitting the glass spread-eagled--she guessed he saw his reflection and though it was a rival.
Same sort of thing with my sister in Alaska, although in her case it was a mama moose that charged but thankfully did not break the glass. The house did shake, though.
A little bird, much better!
We have had a Ruby Crowned Kinglet at our suet feeders for a month and we love to see him bopping around the garden.He and our most dominant Annas Hummingbird spend a lot of time fending each other off, despite their different diets and different feeding station areas. We also have a rare visitor, a Northern Mockingbird. He constantly attacks his reflection in our windows and is quite the bully with other birds. It’s quite the lively scene in our little woodland backgarden area!
ReplyDeleteJane / MulchMaid