The Madeira firecrest, Madeira kinglet, or Madeiracrest is a very small passerine bird endemic to the island of Madeira. It is a member of the kinglet family. Before it was recognised as a separate species in 2003, it was classified as a subspecies of the common firecrest. It differs in appearance and vocalisations from its relative, and genetic analysis has confirmed it as a different species. The Madeiran bird has green upperparts, whitish underparts and two white wingbars, and a distinctive head pattern with a black eye stripe, short white supercilium, and a crest that is mainly orange in the male and yellow in the female.
Region
Macaronesia (Madeira archipelago)
Typical Environment
Primarily occupies native laurel forest (Laurisilva), but also uses heath, montane scrub, and occasionally gardens and conifer plantations near suitable forest. It forages from the understory to the mid-canopy, thriving in humid, mossy woodland with dense foliage. During breeding, it favors mature laurel stands with abundant epiphytes and sheltered nesting sites. Outside breeding, it may disperse into adjacent woodland mosaics but remains tied to forested habitats.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Endemic to Madeira, this tiny kinglet was elevated to full species status in 2003 after differences in plumage, song, and genetics from the common firecrest were confirmed. It is exceptionally active, often hover-gleaning from leaves in the island’s laurel forests. Males display a vivid orange crest, while females show yellow, both bordered by bold black crown stripes. It typically nests in dense foliage, weaving a deep, hanging cup from moss and spider silk.
Madeira firecrest
Laurel forest in Madeira
Regulus madeirensis - MHNT
Male
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often joins mixed-species foraging flocks outside the breeding season. Pairs defend small territories during breeding, building a deep, suspended nest of moss, lichens, and spider silk. Clutches are relatively large for such a small bird, and pairs may attempt a second brood when conditions allow.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A very high-pitched, thin series of notes that accelerates into a fast trill, typically delivered from mid-canopy perches. Compared to mainland firecrests, it is slightly higher and with a different pace, aiding local identification.
