Firecrest
Scientific Name: Regulus ignicapillusMaltese Name: Bufula tax-Xemx
Family: Crests (Regulidae)
Occurence: Regular
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Firecrest is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. It breeds in most of temperate Europe and northwestern Africa. This kinglet is greenish above and has whitish underparts. It has two white wingbars, a black eye stripe and a white supercilium. The head crest, orange in the male and yellow in the female, is displayed during breeding, and gives rise to the English and scientific names for the species. This bird superficially resembles the Goldcrest, which largely shares its European range, but the Firecrest's bronze shoulders and strong face pattern are distinctive. The song is a repetition of high thin notes, slightly lower-pitched than those of its relative. The Firecrest breeds in broadleaved or coniferous woodland and gardens, building its nest on a tree branch. This crest is constantly on the move as it searches for insects to eat.
Status:
Regular migrant and wintering bird.
When to See:
Late October till early March.
Where to See:
May be seen anywhere where there is a good number of trees, especially Pine and Cypress trees. Buskett and Mizieb are the largest wooded areas in malta, hence the best places to see Firecrest.
Photographs:
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Firecrest, Simar Nature Reserve |
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