Goldcrest: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Birds of Europe · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. The goldcrest is the smallest bird in Europe. From beak to tail, it measures only 8.5 to 9.5 cm.
2. On cold nights, goldcrests snuggle up. Two together lose a quarter less heat, and three lose a third less.
3. The mother keeps her pile of eggs cosy in a clever way: she tucks her warm legs in among them.
4. Deep grooves under its feet let it grip a single conifer needle as it hops along branches.
5. It can fly 250 to 800 km in a day. Tired travellers sometimes land on people and search their clothes for food.

The quiz

1. Which title does the goldcrest hold?

• Largest bird in Europe
• Heaviest songbird in Europe
• Smallest bird in Europe (correct)
• Longest-tailed bird in Europe

At 8.5 to 9.5 cm long, it is the smallest European bird.

2. How much less heat do two goldcrests lose when they huddle?

• A quarter less (correct)
• Half as much
• Nine-tenths less
• No less at all

Two roosting together cut heat loss by a quarter.

3. What does the mother tuck in among her eggs to keep them warm?

• Warm stones
• Fresh leaves
• Her tail feathers
• Her warm legs (correct)

She slips her warm legs in between the piled-up eggs.

4. What do the grooves under a goldcrest's feet help it do?

• Dig for worms
• Grip single needles (correct)
• Swim in streams
• Crack open seeds

Deep furrows on its soles let it grip individual needles.

5. How far can a goldcrest fly in one day?

• Only 1 to 2 km
• 250 to 800 km (correct)
• 5,000 to 8,000 km
• 20 to 50 m

Goldcrests can fly 250 to 800 km in a day.

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