Songbird Saturday: Goldcrest

Weighing just 5g, the same as a 20p coin, the Goldcrest is the UK and Europe’s smallest bird – but what it lacks in size it makes up for in colour, song and hairstyle!

It’s likely you’ve enjoyed the shimmering, tinkling song of the Goldcrest tumbling down from high up in the canopy in your local wood but not connected the song with the songster. After all, while these little birds are widespread and not currently of conservation concern, they are tricky to spot, given their diminutive size, camouflaging and very active nature – they don't stay still for long.

When you do get sight of them, however, they're unmistakeable. These round, Wren-shaped tubby birds are incredibly cute, with olive-green bodies, pale bellies, pale bars on their wings and large, near-black soulful eyes with pale eye rings. Their crowning glory is a black cap with a vibrant yellow stripe or crest; it is this last feature in which males and females differ, as males' crests are a richer, orange colour; other than this the sexes look almost indistinguishable.

In the UK we have a resident population of Goldcrest, which remain here year-round but are joined by individuals from Scandinavia who come over winter to escape unforgiving conditions. 

Males alone sing for 12 months of the year, but their vocal performances peak in late winter and early spring as they form and defend their breeding territories. Nesting starts around April and the Goldcrest is known for having multiple nests in the breeding season, with males and females working together to rear up to 20 chicks. 

These tiny birds are very susceptible to cold temperatures and limited food, but are known for their ability to survive in tough conditions through adapting their behaviour and habitat.

In spite of their size – or possibly because of it – male Goldcrest sing with a fervour and forcefulness than belies their size. Since they’re often belting out their assertions of territory when high up in the canopy foraging for insects, it’s notoriously difficult to get eyes on them, even if you do get your ear into their calls.

When it comes to their song, many describe it as being akin to a squeaky wheel or dog toy. While it is thin, rapid and very high-pitched – so high in frequency, in fact, that it is renowned for being one of the first bird sounds human being lose the ability to hear! – the song is not unpleasant, far from it. A series of continuous high notes – sounding like ‘cedar, cedar, cedar’ – builds up to a quick, distinctive crescendo before finishing. The whole sequence lasts just a few seconds but is repeated up to seven times a minute.

Their alarm call is equally high pitched and rapid, often described as a ‘zee’ sound.

Whether you see the Goldcrest as a king or punk-rocker among birds, there’s no doubt that this plucky little feather-weight is an inspiring symbol of strength and resilience which survives despite loss of habitat, fast-disappearing insect food and numerous predators.

Goldcrest song at a glance:

WHEN: Goldcrest males sing year-round, but this peaks in late winter/early spring before nesting, which usually starts in April.

WHERE: Mostly high up in the treetops in coniferous and mixed woodlands, though they will sometimes visit gardens and parks with mature trees. Look out for them in Blue Tit flocks.

WHAT: Song is thin, rapid and high-pitched, like a squeaky dog toy. A series of continuous high ‘cedar, cedar, cedar’ notes builds up to a quick, distinctive crescendo before finishing. Sequence lasts just a few seconds but is repeated up to seven times a minute. Alarm call is a rapid, high-pitched ‘zee’ sound.