The tiny Goldcrest, is a common year-round bird, found mainly in woodland and gardens. Its much rarer cousin, the Firecrest, is found in similar habitats. Can you tell the two species apart?
I had three Goldcrests in the garden this morning! They were so small, suffice to say by the time I had found my binoculars they were nowhere to be seen and then a few hours later yes the process repeated itself!
Just spied my very first one this morning feeding on the Acer about six feet from my kitchen window. This was a very useful piece of video, thank you! Happy bird watching!!
A strange omission about the firecrest: like the goldcrest it can expand its crest but to a much higher degree. It looks like an orange crown. I've actually taken a picture of it here.. instagram.com/p/BU1OmNLjVU4/
A great photo! A firecrest sadly flew into my parents' windowsand didn't survive. I haven't seen a live one, although regularly see goldcrests, but looking at this one was amazed at how bright the crest is and seeing it up so close in such minute and perfect detail. Up close, the olive green is not made by green feathers, but a gold of a colour I can't find words to describe, varying from that of an old picture frame, to a mustard, to a primrose yellow but each bit of feather so fine and delicate laid over the top of slate grey-blue underfeathers. But the crest is such shocking oranges it looks unreal.
Hi zeeox. We are concentrating at the moment on species most likely to be encountered by BTO volunteers out doing surveys, rather than rarities. However , we are planning to venture into rarer species when we have a few more of these under our belt. Yellow-brow and Pallas’s is one of the ones on THAT list!
My wife and I were At Attingham house and park yesterday, near Shrewsbury, its a National Trust area but we are members so we got in Free, we went to see the manor house , (which is marvellous by the way ) it is surrounded by acres of woodland, magnificent gardens and woodland.. we were mesmerised seeing both Goldcrests and Firecrests, ( quite a few really) they actually came quite close to us so we had great views of them, we spoke to someone else we passed who had a large camera with him, (who it turned out was a nature photographer who has had his photographs printed in several magazines and books apparently) he visits Attingham quite often he told us, anyway, he said he’d seen both Goldcrests and Firecrests many times on numerous visits and had taken photos of both that day, which he happily showed us , We were so chuffed to have actually seen both marvellous birds, I just wished I had taken my camera as well, but I had forgotten to charge the battery 😳 so had to go without, my wife did take some pics with her phone but they didn’t turn out very good unfortunately, ..so if you live in Shropshire, Attingham House and gardens is a great place to see them both 😊
Common? I have never seen one and would instantly notice a wren shaped bird with a yellow streak on its head. Must be because it lives in the top branches of conifers that I havent noticed it
The birdwatcher who showed me my first Firecrest impressed me no end by being able to confidently identify a Firecrest in a bush that he hadn't seen yet by call alone. With these videos maybe I'll be that good one day!
I was lucky enough on 23rd May to get a good view of a courting pair, with the male's crest fully erect throughout. They were so intent on romance, that they seemed oblivious of my presence less than 2m away. The display lasted several minutes. Perhaps they knew it was National Biodiversity Week here in Ireland - and felt duty bound to strut their stuff! Remarkably, they weren't lurking in the woods but parading on top of the stone gatepost at the entrance to the station platform in Nenagh, Co Tipperary: more of a venue for a train-spotter than a bird-spotter! Since then, I've been searching the internet for a photo of a male with his crest raised - but in vain. I've found some great videos, including this one, but no more then a brief flicker of a slightly raised crest. Can anyone point me in the right direction? If a raised crest is such a rarity, I'm beginning to think I was very lucky.
We just saw a beautiful little Goldcrest in our garden here in South Wales today. Thought it was a Wren at first just because of it's size and shape but within a few seconds it had turned enough so you could see it's bright yellow/gold crest. I can only ever remember seeing one other example in our garden and that was a good few years ago so it was a rare sighting. Normally just various species of Tits, House Sparrows, Robins and then the larger stuff like Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. We get quite regular visits from Nuthatches too which, while not exactly rare, make for a bit of variety as far as colour and shape go.
I've only ever seen one goldcrest - it was standing on the pavement next to a supermarket. I thought there was something wrong with it because it just sat there, staring up at me. I must've been standing within a metre of it, but it didn't fly away until a lorry went past. It was shweeeet!
Us older generations always describe the Goldcrest song as "Grannies Singer Sewing machine". Familiar to you? Fir tree regular on my Golf Course, I frequently tell my friends when I am putting, "listen to that Goldcrest", it is so distinctive, even they know now!
My apologies. I really like these comparison videos and I can understand the justification for this latest one. I guess I was just getting impatient for more... and the fact I was at the Norfolk coast the other day looking for interesting leaf warblers! Anyway, glad to hear there might be one eventually... Keep up the good work!
Have lived at this address in NE22 for 11yrs and saw 2 Gold crests in the garden for the first time yesterday, a kestrel is a regular visitor and during cold spell last winter Field Fare and Red Wings spent some time in our neighbourhood.
One flew into our kitchen today, it settled on a vase of chrysanths, then it came and sat on my hand, i let it go outside after about 20 minutes, it was reluctant to go, it made my day, my wife got some good pictures on her mobile phone.
I was lucky to spot a firecrest on my own (Wiltshire) patch last year. It was surprisingly unconcerned by my presence. On returning, the next day, there were two, possibly a breeding pair?
Good job, BTO and Natureguides! Thanks for your work!
Thanks for watching!
I had three Goldcrests in the garden this morning! They were so small, suffice to say by the time I had found my binoculars they were nowhere to be seen and then a few hours later yes the process repeated itself!
We have had the pleasure of one all weekend displaying to its reflection in an upstairs window,beautiful little bird!
Just spied my very first one this morning feeding on the Acer about six feet from my kitchen window. This was a very useful piece of video, thank you! Happy bird watching!!
A strange omission about the firecrest: like the goldcrest it can expand its crest but to a much higher degree. It looks like an orange crown. I've actually taken a picture of it here..
instagram.com/p/BU1OmNLjVU4/
A great photo! A firecrest sadly flew into my parents' windowsand didn't survive. I haven't seen a live one, although regularly see goldcrests, but looking at this one was amazed at how bright the crest is and seeing it up so close in such minute and perfect detail. Up close, the olive green is not made by green feathers, but a gold of a colour I can't find words to describe, varying from that of an old picture frame, to a mustard, to a primrose yellow but each bit of feather so fine and delicate laid over the top of slate grey-blue underfeathers. But the crest is such shocking oranges it looks unreal.
Hi zeeox. We are concentrating at the moment on species most likely to be encountered by BTO volunteers out doing surveys, rather than rarities. However , we are planning to venture into rarer species when we have a few more of these under our belt. Yellow-brow and Pallas’s is one of the ones on THAT list!
Thanks for sharing
I've seen one in a tall tree
My wife and I were At Attingham house and park yesterday, near Shrewsbury, its a National Trust area but we are members so we got in Free, we went to see the manor house , (which is marvellous by the way ) it is surrounded by acres of woodland, magnificent gardens and woodland.. we were mesmerised seeing both Goldcrests and Firecrests, ( quite a few really) they actually came quite close to us so we had great views of them, we spoke to someone else we passed who had a large camera with him, (who it turned out was a nature photographer who has had his photographs printed in several magazines and books apparently) he visits Attingham quite often he told us, anyway, he said he’d seen both Goldcrests and Firecrests many times on numerous visits and had taken photos of both that day, which he happily showed us , We were so chuffed to have actually seen both marvellous birds, I just wished I had taken my camera as well, but I had forgotten to charge the battery 😳 so had to go without, my wife did take some pics with her phone but they didn’t turn out very good unfortunately, ..so if you live in Shropshire, Attingham House and gardens is a great place to see them both 😊
Utterly beautiful little birds,fantastic piece of film.
Common? I have never seen one and would instantly notice a wren shaped bird with a yellow streak on its head. Must be because it lives in the top branches of conifers that I havent noticed it
The birdwatcher who showed me my first Firecrest impressed me no end by being able to confidently identify a Firecrest in a bush that he hadn't seen yet by call alone. With these videos maybe I'll be that good one day!
Learn as much as you can. Become the dying breed!
These birds are amazing. So tiny and they somehow manage to survive hard winters. I am in awe of them.
Lovely comment
I was lucky enough on 23rd May to get a good view of a courting pair, with the male's crest fully erect throughout. They were so intent on romance, that they seemed oblivious of my presence less than 2m away. The display lasted several minutes.
Perhaps they knew it was National Biodiversity Week here in Ireland - and felt duty bound to strut their stuff!
Remarkably, they weren't lurking in the woods but parading on top of the stone gatepost at the entrance to the station platform in Nenagh, Co Tipperary: more of a venue for a train-spotter than a bird-spotter!
Since then, I've been searching the internet for a photo of a male with his crest raised - but in vain. I've found some great videos, including this one, but no more then a brief flicker of a slightly raised crest. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
If a raised crest is such a rarity, I'm beginning to think I was very lucky.
Goldcrests look so sweet from the front on
We just saw a beautiful little Goldcrest in our garden here in South Wales today. Thought it was a Wren at first just because of it's size and shape but within a few seconds it had turned enough so you could see it's bright yellow/gold crest. I can only ever remember seeing one other example in our garden and that was a good few years ago so it was a rare sighting. Normally just various species of Tits, House Sparrows, Robins and then the larger stuff like Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. We get quite regular visits from Nuthatches too which, while not exactly rare, make for a bit of variety as far as colour and shape go.
Excellent description. 🐦
I JUST SAW ONE IN MY GARDEN ! AMAZING
Thank you, this was informative and very well presented. I have seen the goldcrest but now will look out for the firecrest!
My mum has seen a Firecrest and i have a Goldcrest in my Garden.
I've only ever seen one goldcrest - it was standing on the pavement next to a supermarket. I thought there was something wrong with it because it just sat there, staring up at me. I must've been standing within a metre of it, but it didn't fly away until a lorry went past. It was shweeeet!
I have 5 gold crest in my garden now they come every day now I've seen about 28 of these 1 of my fav birds.
Saw one of these recently in some bushes on an industrial estate in West Central Scotland.
I saved a baby one but it died the same day
Us older generations always describe the Goldcrest song as "Grannies Singer Sewing machine". Familiar to you? Fir tree regular on my Golf Course, I frequently tell my friends when I am putting, "listen to that Goldcrest", it is so distinctive, even they know now!
Firecrests were recorded at RSPB CONWY on 5 March 2023
Thanks for the explanation.
My apologies. I really like these comparison videos and I can understand the justification for this latest one. I guess I was just getting impatient for more... and the fact I was at the Norfolk coast the other day looking for interesting leaf warblers! Anyway, glad to hear there might be one eventually... Keep up the good work!
A stand-alone Pallas's & Yellow Browed Warbler comparison would be very useful... any plans for one?
B I G B O R B
THAT SMALL TALK ABOUT THE GOLDCREST WAS EXCELLENT,. JOHN H 👍👍
Two come to my window every day, hoping for more! A delight!
Have lived at this address in NE22 for 11yrs and saw 2 Gold crests in the garden for the first time yesterday, a kestrel is a regular visitor and during cold spell last winter Field Fare and Red Wings spent some time in our neighbourhood.
I wondered what that high pitched song was. Now I know! Thank you
Thanks for this, very useful
just saw one in a tree in the east midlands
we got a few of these ware i live goldcrest
Smol goldcrest bird
Love the commentary👍
Goldcrest is very much like the Golden-Crowned Kinglet we have in North America. Even the vocalizations are similar.
One flew into our kitchen today, it settled on a vase of chrysanths, then it came and sat on my hand, i let it go outside after about 20 minutes, it was reluctant to go, it made my day, my wife got some good pictures on her mobile phone.
I was lucky to spot a firecrest on my own (Wiltshire) patch last year. It was surprisingly unconcerned by my presence. On returning, the next day, there were two, possibly a breeding pair?
i seen a tiny bird but it didnt look like this and it could hover,it was jumping around in a tree,i live in Scotland
Round
zree-zree-zree!
They are visiting my garden since last week.
Great video, thank you.
What a great little film of a lovely little bird!
Great video, and very well narrated.
Beautiful