Wednesday 24 May 2023

THE FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla.

The weather is hot but not too hot, so it is very pleasant to sit outside with my camera. Over this last couple of weeks my left knee has been very painful, so I couldn't stray far. My balcony has been my resting place and main source of entertainment, and I couldn't be more pleased now that there are two Firecrests visiting my feeders which has given me great pleasure to watch and photograph. I have become a little obsessed with these petite passerines in the kinglet family, and watch them for hours.There are a lot of Cork Oak trees on the property which is a their favourite breeding place, where they build a compact three layered nest on a tree branch. They also like broadleafed trees and conifers which is another feature of the landscape, but until two years ago I had never seen a Firecrest.


These birds are extremely difficult to photograph.


They are so active, and their heads bob up and down all the time at the feeder. I must have discarded dozens of tail images.


They do not pose on a branch, but arrive unobtrusively through a gap in the railings and leave the same way. I have never seen them fly.

For a little bird with a little beak, it is amazing how much food it can carry. Often it arrives with it's beak already full of food, but still manages to take away more.


As I have already written, the Firecrest is constantly on the move.


Their nest must be quite near, as they are arriving every ten minutes.


When one leaves, the other appears immediately after, as both parents feed their chicks. Just lately however, I have been wondering if it is possible that there are two females coming to the feeder and not both sexes. 


The female incubates seven to twelve eggs on her own.

These small birds are monogamous.


The average life expectancy of a Firecrest is between two to three years, but hopefully their offspring's will survive to bring joy to bird lovers like myself every year.

37 comments:

Marit said...

Hello dear Sonjia,

I'm so sorry to hear about your kneeproblems. I hope you are getting better very soon.
I like to see your lovely photos of the Firecrests on your balcony. It must be wonderful to watch them so close. I have never seen this bird around here.
All the best, and warm hugs!

MadSnapper said...

Yellow birds are the color of joy and it would be a lot of joy to watch these pretty little ones. glad you have free entertainment while resting your knee. Sorry to hear it is painful.

Irma said...

This is a beautiful series of photos of the firecrest.
I really like this kind of bird, the are so small and light.
Greetings Irma

Marie Smith said...

Great photos of this pretty bird. Our leaves are almost open here which will make photographs of treasured warblers so much harder to capture!

Richard Pegler said...

I'm so sorry to learn of your knee problems, Sonjia. I hope that they can soon be resolved.

You are not kidding about Firecrests always being on the move and difficult to photograph. I have only ever had three encounters with this species and really struggled to photograph the bird. You have done admirably there and your photos are delightful. I look forward to you showing us photos of the young when they arrive, as I suspect they will if the parents are successful.

Best wishes from a sunny, but not too hot, UK - - - Richard

Jeanie said...

Wow, look at the details on those feathers. This little firecrest is a beauty -- and wonderfully well named!

sami niilola said...

Fantastic. Great photos of a lovely little bird.

roentare said...

So beautiful the fire crest is. Very agile it seems.

Mike Attwood said...

So sorry to hear of your knee problem, I have similar knee problems that stop me from travelling too far, I have my foxes so you must take full advantage of your birds and you have made a brilliant start. I wish you well.
Mike.

Linda said...

Great post! I know how frustrating it is to not be able to get around like you want to. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

I am so sorry to hear about your knee. I am so glad you are able to watch this little birds and photograph them so beautifully. I really enjoyed seeing the photos and learning about them from your post.

-Soma

Penelope Notes said...

Wonderful shade of yellow feathers ... like a little flash of sunshine on your balcony. :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Your little Firecrest are adorable birds. I would enjoy watching these cuties. I hope your knee feels better soon, take care! Have a happy day!

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Awesome shot! I am picturing you taking dozens of shots while the bird flits around nonstop hoping for a few good ones. You did well!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Now you know this just has to stop, Sonjia. It is quite apparent to the whole world that you have learned how to exude a special pheromone that is irresistible to Firecrests, while the rest of us, mere mortals that we are, look on with abject envy. We who have made special trips, chased and pursued, parted bushes, squinted through branches, pointed binoculars, toted cameras - all to no avail. There is only one thing to do - we will all move to Portugal and visit you at your balcony. I am very sorry to hear that a sore knee is keeping you there, but with a Firecrest to keep you company, it perhaps doesn't seem quite as bad. Hugs and kisses - David

Teresa said...

Es un pajarito precioso, has tenido mucha suerte de fotografiarlos. Espero que tu rodilla mejore, las mías también están mal. Un abrazo.

Manuel said...

Lo primero es desearte de que tengas una pronta recuperación de tu rodilla.
Y lo segundo, es felicitarte porque dices que esta ave se mueve mucho y a pesar de ello has tomado unas excelentes imágenes.
Es muy bonito y por la zona que yo vivo cerca de Sevilla, nunca los había visto.
Un saludo.

Rhodesia said...

I saw one Firecrest here many years ago and have never seen one since :-(( Lucky you. Resting the knees sounds like a good idea especially if you get to see more birds :-) I hope though that you soon feel better. Cheers Diane

Lowcarb team member said...

I'm sorry to read that your knee has been painful, I hope the pain eases soon.
Beautiful photographs you have shared of this sweet bird.

All the best Jan

KB said...

Adorable, colouful birds. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely comment.

Veronica Lee said...

Love this stunning series of the Firecrest.
Such a pretty bird!

So sorry to hear about your knee problem.
Best wishes for a speed recovery, Sonjia

Barwitzki said...

obrigado...lindas fotos...
Desejo-lhe um feliz fim de semana.
Abraço de Viola
...tudo de bom para o seu joelho... paciência.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sonjia,
You are lucky to see these cute little birds in your garden. Wonderful closeup photos, you captured them beautifully. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Taken For Granted said...

Wonderful bird photos. I know how difficult it can be to photograph them as they seldom pose for the camera.

Debbie said...

hi sonjia, your images of this beautiful bird are stunning. i don't think i have ever heard of this bird but i am going to check my bird book...perhaps we do not have them here! i am surprised how well you do getting pictures from your balcony!!

rest will do the knee well, it is always so important when trying to heal any injury!! have a wonderful weekend, be sure and rest!!

Phil Slade said...

A lovely set of photos there Sonia. At this time of year I imagine that the young are very close to fledgling. Can't wait to see your pics of those as I have never seen very young Firecrests. I sympathize with your wonky knees. Me too.

Bob Bushell said...

Absolutely stunning bird, the Firecrest is a beautiful, so close Sonjia.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It really is hard to get photos in focus when the move around so much. They are great and it's such a pretty little bird!

RedPat said...

You got such wonderful shots of these sweet birds. How nice that they are coming to visit while you are nursing your sore knee.
Thanks for the nice comments on my posts.

Tom said...

...a cute little bird that is new to me. You captured some wonderful images. The arthritis in my right knee has limited my movements. Tylenol has become my best friend.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Love seeing your balcony Firecrest photos. Must be amazing to watch them up close.

magiceye said...

Beautifully captured and narration is very informative. Thank you.

Rainbow Evening said...

wonderful captures...
thank you for sharing beautiful photos and details

Recep Hilmi TUFAN | rehitu.com said...

Well captured, thanks for sharing.

This N That said...

I hope your knee feels better soon. Those birds may be hard to photograph but you got some good pictures there. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week.

Bill said...

You captured the fine details of this beautiful little bird. Fantastic photos and thanks for sharing.

Sharon Wagner said...

You caught him. I usually don't try with small birds. And when I do, they have flown away as soon as the camera is ready!

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