Yesterday afternoon, I observed a golden-crowned kinglet in our Columbia, Missouri, yard, feeding with chickadees and tufted titmice. Having summered and bred in coniferous forest across Canada and southward through the mountain ranges of North America, these tiny songbirds winter throughout most of the Continent.
Since they are best found in conifer groves, I have rarely encountered them in our primarily deciduous neighborhood. Like their ruby-crowned cousins, these kinglets feed almost exclusively on insects, spiders and their eggs, flitting about trees and shrubs to explore every crevice.
I doubt this hardy visitor will settle here for the winter but he is certainly welcome to do so. His energy and cold tolerance are inspiring and natural insect control is a valuable service.
