PikesPines Classic These Capitol Hill bird moms put all their eggs in one basket

Ruby-crowned kinglets are currently nesting in Capitol Hill, Seattle, where they gather materials from conifer trees. These small songbirds, identifiable by their red crest that appears only when agitated, typically lay just one clutch of eggs per season, with females collecting nest materials. Kinglets can hide their nests high in trees, often near Volunteer Park or the Washington Park Arboretum, making them difficult to spot. They can lay as many as twelve eggs, which can weigh as much as the female kinglet. Both parents work together to care for the chicks, enhancing their survival rates.

However, they face challenges from brood parasites like the brown-headed cowbird, which rarely succeed in their nests. Breeding season is just beginning, and observers can expect increased activity throughout May. This article, originally published in 2013, highlights the unique nesting strategies of these small songbirds.