[Tweeters] Cold weather bird behavior - RCKI's

[Eric Ellingson]

  Most Ruby-crowned Kinglets I've seen are usually quickly going about in
bushes and trees, sometimes way high up, other times closer to eye level.
However, even at eye level, they can be difficult birds to get a photo of.
Also, the scarlet crown is not always seen on the males or if seen just as
a red flash.

So it was fascinating to see two of these hopping along the ground on the
trail at Point Whitehorn. They seemed oblivious to us standing in the
middle of the path. They would come toward us passing by our feet and
continuing along the path.

The scarlet on the head was very visible but not raised as when agitated.
This and the behavior of feeding and hopping along on the ground are not
the norm.   My guess about this ground-level feeding is that with the high
winds and freezing weather (into single digits) their food of insects was
blown to the ground out of the shrubs and trees they would have been in.
Who, knows? Also, maybe a way to conserve energy?

Camera in hand, as usual, I could not pass up the opportunity.  I took many
shots and videos of them hopping and foraging. Often they would come toward
me getting too close for my camera to focus on them.  If I had a small
insect in my hand I'm guessing they would have hopped into my had to eat it.

The 29-second video is comprised of some close-ups showing the scarlet
crown and foraging successes.  Watch it here: https://flic.kr/p/2pswNca
Enjoy.

What unusual behaviors have you seen during this very cold and windy past
few days?


Eric Ellingson

360-820-6396
esellingson at gmail.com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/
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