Common Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillus
During the breeding season the Common Firecrest is more common in the north and center of the country and it’s associated with woodlands and forests. In the winter, the presence of wintering birds promotes the increase of this specie in Portugal and its distribution area.
The scientific name of the Common Firecrest has this meaning: Regulus in Latin means prince; ignicapillus is the contraction of the Latin terms ignis (fire) and capillus (hair), alluding to the characteristic orange stripe located on the crown.
Text: João E. Rabaça