Kinglet

The kinglets or crests are small birds in the family Regulidae. Species in this family were formerly classified with the Old World warblers. "Regulidae" is derived from the Latin word regulus, diminutive for "king", and refers to the coloured crowns of adult birds. This family has representatives in Eurasia and North America. There are six species in this family; one, the Madeira firecrest (Regulus madeirensis), was only recently split from the common firecrest as a separate species. The ruby-crowned kinglet differs sufficiently in its voice and plumage to be afforded its own genus, Corthylio.

==Description== Kinglets are among the smallest of all passerines, ranging in size from and weighing ; the sexes are the same size. They have medium-length wings and tails, and small needle-like bills. The plumage is overall grey-green, offset by pale wingbars, and the tail tip is incised. Five species have a single stiff feather covering the nostrils, but in the ruby-crowned kinglet this is replaced by several short, stiff bristles. Most kinglets have distinctive head markings, and the males possess a colourful crown patch. In the females, the crown is duller and yellower. The long feathers forming the central crown stripe can be erected; they are inconspicuous most of the time, but are used in courtship and territorial displays when the raised crest is very striking.