They do this when alarmed or in courtship - its fabulous to see and a surprise.
Thanks Kits...:t:Very vibrant! A great spot.
Spectacular shot! Male Ruby-crowned Kinglets have a similar display when their dander’s up but I’ve never seen one that comes close to your bird’s in intensity and shock value. . ..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/405332251/in/album-72157654707793348
They do this when alarmed or in courtship - its fabulous to see and a surprise.
Not at all Ken Here in the Algarve, Firecrest is a regular, though not so common winter visitor - a birder living here should see them pretty regularly though - they occur inland but also along the coast, especially where there are good groups of large Stone Pines - folk staying in a number of hotels here can see them in the gardens. Probably most numerous in late autumn, no doubt some passage movement involved. Sagres get lots late Oct and through November and onwards. There is also a small breeding population, inland. Its probably commoner than records suggest. I find them in inland Cork Oak valley bottoms along waterlines especially and with climbers on trees (Smilax aspera usually) - its not even necessary to have any conifers. There is a decent population in inland central Algarve. Near to me in the western Algarve I have found them breeding in about half a dozen locations of the type I described. Its not a bird that visitors see much I guess.
Ah!...the subject bird was a Goldcrest Simon, easily mistaken on that shot, apologies that was the thrust of my post, having never seen Goldcrest with such an intense red crown before, indeed having once espied one with a yellow/orange crown but never realising that it could turn so red and must assume that this is occasionally seen?
Cheers
I've seen Goldcrest on a couple of occasions with the crown feathers spread out to reveal the full extent of the deep orange that is usually hidden. On both occasions the male in question was enthusiastically soliciting a nearby female.
Ah!...the subject bird was a Goldcrest Simon, easily mistaken on that shot, apologies that was the thrust of my post, having never seen Goldcrest with such an intense red crown before, indeed having once espied one with a yellow/orange crown but never realising that it could turn so red and must assume that this is occasionally seen?
Cheers
I've seen Goldcrest on a couple of occasions with the crown feathers spread out to reveal the full extent of the deep orange that is usually hidden. On both occasions the male in question was enthusiastically soliciting a nearby female.
You are too kind - its obvious its a Goldcrest - but I just looked at that orange fire and thought Firecrest!
Goldcrests are much more scarce in the Algarve. The odd winter we get small influxes, many winters none at all or just one or two records