Goldcrest
Regulus regulusJFMAMJJASOND
Britain's smallest bird, with one of its highest voices: like a squeaky wheel turning in the conifers.
Sounds like
A very high, thin, rhythmic song, 'seeda-seeda-seeda-sissu-sweet', ending in a little flourish. Calls are tiny 'see-see-see' notes.
Remember it
Britain's smallest bird, with one of its highest voices: like a squeaky wheel turning in the conifers.
When and where
Listening for the goldcrest
- Heard
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecAll year round
- Time of day
- Day
- Where
- Woodland, Gardens
- In Britain
- All year
- Family
- Warblers
Strictly speaking, the goldcrest isn't a warbler: it belongs to the crests (family Regulidae). It was long grouped with the warblers, and we keep it with them on Warble UK because it sings and feeds like a tiny leaf warbler.
Side by side
Often confused with
Play them one after the other and listen for the difference.
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusJFMAMJJASOND
A travelling party: tiny buzzes and squeaks passing from tree to tree.
Could you pick out a goldcrest?
Hear a song, choose from four birds, and build your streak.
Same habitat
Also in woodland
Blackbird
Turdus merulaJFMAMJJASOND
Slow, rich, fluting phrases that wander about and often trail off into a quiet chuckle.
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusJFMAMJJASOND
Two or three thin, high notes followed by a fast, shimmering trill: 'tsee-tsee-tsuhuhuhu'.
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneJFMAMJJASOND
A harsh, hoarse 'kraa-kraa-kraa', usually three or four calls in a row from a treetop, rooftop or aerial, each one flat and croaky.
Dunnock
Prunella modularisJFMAMJJASOND
A hurried, flat, squeaky warble that stays on one level and stops abruptly, like a squeaky wheel turning.