Firecrest
Regulus ignicapilla (Temminck, 1820)
FC
FIREC
13150
Family: Passeriformes > Regulidae
![Firecrest, Chris Knights Firecrest, Chris Knights](https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/birdfacts/00425_Firecrest_Chris-Knights.jpg)
Firecrests could be considered 'souped-up' Goldcrests, closely resembling the latter in size, sound, behaviour and overall appearance, but with brighter and bolder makings.
The Firecrest a summer visitor to Britain & Ireland. It was first recorded breeding in Hampshire in 1962, and has since extended its breeding range north through much of southern, central and eastern England and into Wales. This species is only recorded on passage on the island of Ireland. In winter, some Firecrests migrate across the North Sea from Fennoscandia, and then this species is found more widely, including on the west coast of Wales and the Northern and Western Island of Scotland.
Like Goldcrests, Firecrests can often be found combing trees and bushes, especially conifers, for small invertebrate prey. They may form flocks with other small birds in autumn and winter. Their striking facial markings most easily set them apart from Goldcrests. They have prominent black and white head stripes as well as their crowning crests, which are more orange in males and more yellow in females.
Identification
Firecrest identification is often straightforward. The following article may help when identifying Firecrest.
Identifying Goldcrest and Firecrest
![](https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/styles/related_content_view/public/shared_images/bird_id_videos/goldcrest-firecrest.jpg?itok=kN1qUNdN)
The tiny Goldcrest, is a common year-round bird, found mainly in woodland and gardens. Its much rarer cousin, the Firecrest, is found in similar habitats. Can you tell the two species apart?
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Firecrest, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Song
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
POPULATION CHANGE
Firecrest was first confirmed to have bred in the UK in 1962 in Hampshire (Adams 1966). The breeding distribution is concentrated on southern and eastern England and the range has strongly increased since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas (Balmer et al. 2013). Breeding records from Wales and northern England (Balmer et al. 2013) suggest further range expansion is likely. Intensive survey efforts have confirmed that large local breeding populations occur at some key sites such as the New Forest in Hampshire and it has been suggested that the UK population could number over 4,000 pairs (Clements et al. 2017), although population density may be highly variable and hence further more widespread surveys are needed to produce a robust national population estimate.
DISTRIBUTION
The Firecrest's breeding distribution is heavily concentrated within southeast and eastern England between Hampshire and Norfolk, with scattered records in Wales, southern and northern England. Densities are highest in southern England with local concentrations in East Anglia, Wales and Gloucestershire. This inland breeding distribution differs markedly from the mostly coastal distribution in winter.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in breeding season | 218 |
% occupied in breeding season | 7.2 |
No. occupied in winter | 603 |
% occupied in winter | 20 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
The change in breeding distribution is astounding, with a 935% increase in occupation of 10-km squares since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +935% |
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +112% |
SEASONALITY
Firecrest is a scarce winter visitor and rare breeder and autumn passage migrant.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
![Foreign locations of Firecrest ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland Foreign locations of Firecrest ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland](https://app.bto.org/ring/countyrec/images/amap13150.png)
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Firecrest, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
Maximum Age from Ringing ![]() |
4 years 1 months 1 days (set in 2018) ![]() |
BIOMETRICS
Wing Length ![]() |
Adults | 53.1±1.8 | Range 50–56mm, N=515 |
Juveniles | 53.2±1.8 | Range 50-56mm, N=1286 | |
Males | 54.3±1.4 | Range 52–57mm, N=268 | |
Females | 51.7±1.2 | Range 50–54mm, N=243 |
Body Weight ![]() |
Adults | 5.39±0.49 | Range 4.70–6.40g, N=485 |
Juveniles | 5.29±0.4744 | Range 4.60–6.10g, N=1159 | |
Males | 5.53±0.48 | Range 4.80–6.50g, N=253 | |
Females | 5.24±0.46 | Range 4.60–6.00g, N=228 |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Ring size ![]() |
AA |
Field Codes ![]() |
2-letter: FC | 5-letter code: FIREC | Euring: 13150 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Firecrest from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
The colonisation of the UK has followed considerable range expansion across continental Europe since the 1960s and mirrors the colonisation and rapid population growth in the Netherlands (Batten 1973; Hustings 2002). The reasons for this expansion are not known. It seems probable that climate change may have played a role in the recent rapid expansion but it is unclear whether or not this is the main driver and it is likely that other factors have also been important at least in the early stages of the colonisation which began before the effects of climate change became apparent.
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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