Firecrest
Marginally larger than a Goldcrest, the Firecrest is more brightly coloured. They can be mistaken for the Goldcrest.
Britain is on the edge of its range. First nested in New Forest in 1962 and by 1970 was found in several locations in South England and Wales. Can be found mainly in South-east of England, a few in the south west, Wales and East Anglia. They are scarce birds.
Identification
- Adult
- Greenish/yellow colour upper-parts, white underparts. Dark stripes through the eye.
- Juvenile
- The juvenile lacks the bright orange-red, yellow crown.
- Male
- The male has a startling orange-red patch on his crown and a strongly striped head,. They have a very broad, obvious white stripe over the eye and bordered black.
- Female
- The female under and upper parts are same colour as the male's, but her crown patch is more yellow's.
- Size
- 9cms in size and weigh 5gr
- Habitat
- Breeds in woodlands and favour Norway spruce plantations in Britain. Can also be seen in deciduous or mixed woods with rich undergrowth.
- Voice
- Usual call is 'zit' often a single note. Song is a succession of 'zit' notes that get louder and faster.
Breeding & Feeding
- Nest
- Suspended nest found in conifers, ball shaped and made from moss, lichen and lines with feathers and hair.
- Eggs
- 7 - 12 eggs
- Incubation Period
- 17 - 17 days
- Fledgling
- 20 - 24 days
- Broods
- can have two broods a year.
- Food
- insects, spiders, caterpillars, flies, bugs, beetles and small snails.
- UK Breeding Pairs
- 350 breeding pairs
Related product
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Freeze dried mealworms provide a natural food for wild birds without the inconvenience and mess of storing `live` food. They are a source of high energy & a good source of fat and protein.
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