Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Brown Creeper, looks like tree bark

Lots of birds here this morning. We saw 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets together, then 4 Brown Creepers, as a little migrant group. Plus we have tons (100 plus) of robins, many going to our crab apples. Sometimes we see more birds on rainy, gray days like this, as they slow down on their migration.
Both Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers have somewhat similar high-pitched "tseee" calls and that can alert you to their presence. Golden-crowned Kinglets are hyper-active little birds, who often flick their wings. The male has an orange-red patch in the middle of the yellow of the crown, visible when he raises his crest. Golden-crowned Kinglets are more boldly patterned, with their big, white, eyebrow and black and yellow on head, than their relative, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Brown Creepers are very camouflaged little birds who hitch their way up tree trunks, then flutter down to the bottom of the next trunk and begin their way up again. They probe the bark of trees for insects, only very rarely will visit bird feeders for suet.
So these birds are out there, maybe more visible now, as they come through on their migrations. They can be seen just about anywhere in the country. Go outside with your binoculars, listen for their high-pitched calls, and get treated to these cool little birds in this trick-or-treat season.