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| Goldcrest | |
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| Female R. r. regulus in Lancashire | |
| Male song in Surrey | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Regulidae |
| Genus: | Regulus |
| Species: | R. regulus |
| Binomial name | |
| Regulus regulus | |
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Breeding summer visitor (ranges are approximate)Resident year-round Winter visitor | |
| Synonyms | |
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The goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is a tiny passerine bird in the kinglet family. Its colourful golden crest feathers gives rise to its popular name. The scientific name, R. regulus, means king or knight.
There are several subspecies. The bird has a very large distribution range: much of the Palearctic and the islands of Macaronesia and Iceland. Birds from the north and east of its breeding range migrate to winter further south.
The goldcrest breeds in coniferous woodland and in gardens, It builds its compact, three-layered nest on a tree branch. Ten to twelve eggs are incubated by the female alone. The chicks are fed by both parents, and second broods are common.
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