Early this morning when I took out our little dogs, I found this feathered friend on the patio. I'd imagine the poor thing had a close- encounter with the window since it was sitting still and appeared a bit stunned.
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| Golden crowned kinglets turn a drab olive color in the colder months. |
I was instantly struck by its size and the yellow stripe on its head. This was a tiny bird and so sweet! Of course, I had to dash for my phone so that I could snap a picture since I couldn't readily identify it.
After consulting my dog-eared bird books, I was still a little stumped. Next, I looked online and that's when I stumbled upon a free bird app. In case you're interested, it's called Cornell Lab Merlin and it's pretty slick. You are able to enter characteristics of the bird you're attempting to identify and they offer you possible choices by picture and description based on the region in which you reside. Although it did not happen to help me to determine this particular feathered friend, I think it's a good app and I feel sure it would be helpful most of the time. As it turns out, I believe this unique bird is a kinglet and it passes through our area in the autumn. Aside from the hummingbird, it's the smallest migrant we have. Arriving by late September, these guys hang around until springtime before moving on their way. Related to warblers and gnatcatchers, kinglets are about 3.5 inches long.
After studying our feathered friend this morning, I opened the door very slowly and, thankfully, it flew off in perfect condition. I am very hopeful that this little one will remain in our yard and you can be sure that I'll be watching for kinglets all winter now! Seeing (and learning about) this a little kinglet this morning was a tiny treat!