Dateline: 26 April 2022
Famous artist/ornithologist John Audubon was born on this day in 1785. A modern-day reckoning casts him in a deservedly negative light, but the occasion is noted here for its historical significance: John Audubon had a huge influence on avian science and popularization.
So, time for a BirdingPI.com bird ID moment, featuring the extremely cute Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photos out at Presque Isle State Park this past week.
A small bird, very flighty; moves around very quickly. Small, dark beak, grey breast, light olive body, short tail, hints of yellow on the wings, white wing bar with a black patch next to it, white eyering.
As in the picture above, the head usually appears plain, with the red-colored feathers remaining hidden. (Contrast with the similar-looking Golden-crowned Kinglet, which has a black crown patch with a stripe of yellow/gold.)
On Saturday off the A-Trail, lucky enough to get a few shots slightly showing the red crown:
If really agitated, the crown would be raised and plainly visible. See https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet/id for some nice shots.
Wishing you a happy bird-day!