Regulus ignicapillus

Abstract

The photo portrays the smallest European bird: Regulus ignicapillus, whose weight is equivalent to a 50 cent coin, 5 grams, and with a wingspan of about 11 centimetres. Its name in Latin can be translated as "hair of fire" and the English one is Firecrest, due to the crest on the head, which the small bird can expand when excited, creating a striking yellow spot in the female and orange in the male.