Short-eared Owl vs. Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet by Shari McCollough

I’ve been saying throughout this March Migration Madness that kinglets have a loyal following. They’re a bird that can be seen almost year-round in most any patch of woods. They’re fairly comfortable around humans and will flit around almost any trail or sidewalk, even in the depths of the city.

One of our smallest passerines takes on a mighty predator in the Short-eared Owl today. I’m going with another “David” here. It’s a risk—owls also have scores of fans. But that joy of seeing a kinglet, maybe peering back at you for a moment as in Shari’s photo above—that is unsurpassed.

Pick: Golden-crowned Kinglet