The Golden-crowned Kinglet is one of the smallest songbirds in North America. Weighing in at only 4-7 grams, it is truly a tiny bird. To put the Golden-crowned Kinglet’s miniscule size into perspective, here are some quick facts about its weight:
Quick Facts
- The average weight of a Golden-crowned Kinglet is 5-6 grams.
- 5 grams is equivalent to 0.18 ounces or about the weight of a penny.
- The Golden-crowned Kinglet weighs less than many common small birds like chickadees, nuthatches and warblers.
Now that we have established how lightweight the Golden-crowned Kinglet is, let’s take a deeper look at the typical weight range for this species and what factors influence their mass.
Weight Range
Most sources list the weight range for Golden-crowned Kinglets as 4-7 grams. Here are some details on the range:
- The lowest recorded weights are around 4 grams.
- Weights of 5-6 grams are most common.
- The heaviest individuals weigh up to 7 grams.
- Weights fluctuate seasonally with the lowest weights occurring during migration and the highest weights during winter.
So while 5-6 grams is the frequently cited average weight, Golden-crowned Kinglets can dip as low as 4 grams or reach upwards of 7 grams depending on the time of year and individual attributes.
Weight by Age and Sex
The weight of a Golden-crowned Kinglet can also vary based on age and sex. Here are some key differences:
- Adult males tend to be slightly heavier than females.
- Females weigh 4.5-6.5 grams on average.
- Males weigh 5-7 grams on average.
- Juveniles typically weigh less than adults.
- Nestlings can weigh as little as 2-3 grams when they first hatch.
So while there is overlap between the sexes, mature males are usually among the heaviest Golden-crowned Kinglets in any flock while young hatchlings are the lightest.
Factors Affecting Weight
Many factors can lead to fluctuations in a Golden-crowned Kinglet’s body mass. Here are some of the key influences:
- Time of Year – Weight drops during migration and peaks prior to winter when extra fat reserves are needed.
- Age – Adults are heavier than juveniles on average.
- Sex – Males are usually slightly heavier than females.
- Food availability – Lack of food causes weight loss.
- Weather conditions – Colder temperatures require more energy and higher weight for insulation.
- Physiological needs – Birds may gain weight before migration or lose weight while incubating eggs.
So a bird’s weight at any given time depends greatly on seasonal, environmental and individual circumstances. A kinglet trying to survive a harsh winter or long migration may bulk up, while one focused on raising young chicks will be willing to lose weight from the demands of reproduction.
How the Golden-crowned Kinglet Compares
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is one of the lightest songbirds found in North America. Here’s how it sizes up to some other tiny birds:
Bird | Weight |
---|---|
Golden-crowned Kinglet | 4-7 g |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet | 5-8 g |
Black-capped Chickadee | 9-12 g |
Bushtit | 5-6 g |
Red-breasted Nuthatch | 8-12 g |
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is the only other bird that comes close to matching the Golden-crowned Kinglet’s tiny stature. Small finches like the Lesser Goldfinch weigh about the same. But the Golden-crowned Kinglet stands apart as one of the tiniest songbirds in terms of sheer lightness.
How the Sexes Compare
As mentioned before, male Golden-crowned Kinglets tend to weigh slightly more than females. Here is a breakdown comparing the average weights of each sex:
Sex | Average Weight |
---|---|
Male | 5-7 g |
Female | 4.5-6.5 g |
While the ranges overlap, the midpoint averages reveal that males typically outweigh females by around 0.5 grams. This size dimorphism is common in bird species where males are larger and more colorful than females.
Seasonal Weight Changes
Here is how a Golden-crowned Kinglet’s weight may fluctuate over the course of a year:
Time Period | Typical Weight |
---|---|
Spring migration | 4-5 g |
Breeding season | 5-6 g |
Fall migration | 4.5-5.5 g |
Winter | 6-7 g |
These seasonal weight changes reflect how kinglets drop weight during energetically demanding periods like migration and then pack on fat reserves to survive harsh winters.
Conclusion
So in summary, the average weight of an adult Golden-crowned Kinglet is approximately 5-6 grams, or about the equivalent of a penny. However, weights commonly range from as low as 4 grams to as high as 7 grams depending on the season, sex, age and individual attributes. This makes the diminutive Golden-crowned Kinglet one of the tiniest songbirds found in North America. Its miniscule size and agile movements make it a delightful bird to observe during its breeding, migrating and wintering periods across the continent.