[cobirds] Wishful breeding by RCKI at Arapahoe Co

Ruby-crowned Kinglets don't nest in Arapahoe County, but it seems they want to, or at least a crazy few have sought to try. This tiny montane forest nesting species is usually above 8500 feet in various conifer forests, reaching their peak up high in the spruce fir forests. But for three years now Ruby-crowneds are making a songful presence at Littleton Cemetery, with intent to attract a mate. The cemetery does stand out among the local landscape in having  a large number of mature spruce trees, so one could see why it might attract interest. 

Ruby-crowned is generally a rather sparse spring migrant at Littleton, where I have found it hard to even find in the last 9 years, except for individuals at Littleton Cemetery in the last 3 years. In 2020 multiple singers took up residence for some weeks, with the first on 1 May 20. The number grew to 5 singers, with multiple birds through 19 May 20, and only one lingering with steadfast song from a territory to 18 Jun 20  Then on 1 May 21 one RCKI returned singing in the same trees as the last one of 2020. I was sure it was the same bird back to try again. He stayed until 31 May 21. This year he (I am presuming it is the same) returned to the same trees on 4/27 and is singing steadily through today. He pretty much sings all the time. 

One thing I love with the RCKIs (Ricky Ricardos) singing on territory is that they sometimes enter into what I call a "percolation mode", where they repeatedly sing the first phrase of their song, so it sounds like it is percolating or bubbling right along.

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO

Sent from my iPhone

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