The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a tiny, active songbird that occurs in Arizona primarily during the cooler months. Measuring only about 3.5–4 inches (9–10 cm) in length and weighing less than a quarter of an ounce, it is one of the smallest birds in North America. Its distinctive field mark is the brightly colored crown—golden-yellow edged with black in both sexes, with males showing an orange tinge at the center. The rest of the plumage is grayish-olive above and pale below, with a thin bill and relatively short tail.
In Arizona, Golden-crowned Kinglets are mainly found in high-elevation coniferous forests, particularly in the “Sky Islands” of southeastern Arizona and along the Mogollon Rim. They favor spruce, fir, and mixed conifer habitats, where they forage energetically in the canopy, often in mixed flocks with chickadees, nuthatches, and warblers. Their presence is more common in fall and winter, with some breeding records at the higher elevations of the White Mountains.
Despite their tiny size, Golden-crowned Kinglets are remarkably hardy, enduring cold mountain winters by foraging almost constantly on small insects, spiders, and larvae. Their high-pitched calls are often the best clue to their presence, as they flit quickly among branches. They are less numerous than their relative, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula).
