Birds Of Japan 29:The Goldcrest 日本の野鳥29:キクイタダキ

The Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is a small passerine bird in the kinglet family, native to Eurasia. It is one of the smallest birds in Europe, measuring around 9 to 10 centimeters in length and weighing only about 5 to 7 grams.

Here are some key characteristics and information about the Goldcrest:

1. Physical Description: The Goldcrest has olive-green upperparts, with a distinctive yellow crest on its head bordered with black. Its underparts are lighter in color, often with a pale yellowish tinge. The wings are dark with prominent white wing bars.

2. Habitat: Goldcrests inhabit a variety of coniferous and mixed forests, including pine, spruce, fir, and cedar forests. They are also found in parks, gardens, and shrubby habitats.

3. Range: Goldcrests are native to Eurasia, with a distribution that spans from Western Europe across to the Urals, and from northern Scandinavia down to the Mediterranean region. They are also found in parts of North Africa and Asia.

4. Behavior: These birds are highly active and agile, often flitting about in the canopy of trees in search of insects and spiders. They have a high-pitched, thin call that is often heard as they move through the trees.

5. Diet: Goldcrests primarily feed on small insects and spiders, which they glean from foliage and branches. During the winter months, they may also consume seeds and berries.

6. Breeding: Goldcrests typically nest in coniferous trees, constructing small, cup-shaped nests from moss, lichen, and spider silk. The female lays a clutch of around 7 to 12 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. Both parents care for the chicks until they fledge.

7. Migration: While some Goldcrests are sedentary, populations in northern and eastern parts of their range may migrate southward in the winter to milder climates.

8. Conservation Status: The Goldcrest is considered to be a species of least concern according to the IUCN Red List. However, habitat loss and degradation, as well as severe winters, can impact local populations.

Overall, the Goldcrest is a charming and industrious bird, known for its energetic foraging behavior and distinctive appearance.

 キクイタダキ（Regulus regulus）は、キクイタダキ科の小さな鳥で、ヨーロッパ原産の小型の鳥です。ヨーロッパで最も小さい鳥の一つであり、体長は約9〜10センチメートル、体重は約5〜7グラム程度です。

キクイタダキに関する主な特徴と情報は以下の通りです：

1. **外見**: キクイタダキは、頭部に黄色い冠羽があり、その周囲に黒い模様があるのが特徴です。上半身はオリーブグリーン色で、下半身は薄い黄色がかった色合いです。翼は黒く、白い翼帯が目立ちます。

2. **生息地**: キクイタダキは針葉樹林や混合林、公園、庭などさまざまな環境に生息しています。

3. **分布**: キクイタダキはヨーロッパ原産で、西ヨーロッパからウラル山脈にかけて、また北はスカンジナビアから地中海地域まで広く分布しています。北アフリカやアジアの一部地域にも見られます。

4. **行動**: この鳥は非常に活発で器用であり、樹冠を飛び回りながら昆虫やクモを捕食します。細く高い声で鳴くことが多いです。

5. **食性**: キクイタダキは主に樹木の葉や枝から昆虫やクモを採食します。冬には種子やベリーも摂取することがあります。

6. **繁殖**: キクイタダキは主に針葉樹の木に巣を作り、コケや地衣類、クモの糸などで小さな巣を作ります。メスは約7〜12個の卵を産み、約2週間抱卵します。雛は巣立つまで両親が世話をします。

7. **渡り**: 一部のキクイタダキは留鳥ですが、分布域の北部や東部の個体群は冬に渡りを行い、より温暖な地域に移動します。

8. **保全状況**: キクイタダキはIUCNレッドリストでは「懸念される種」に指定されています。生息地の喪失や劣化、また厳しい冬などが地域の個体群に影響を与える可能性があります。

キクイタダキは、活発な採食行動や特徴的な外見で知られる、魅力的で勤勉な鳥です。