goldcrestn.
/ˈɡəʊl(d)krɛst/, U.S. /ˈɡoʊl(d)ˌkrɛst/ A very small kinglet found throughout Eurasia, Regulus regulus, having a narrow yellow crest on the head, and regarded as the smallest European bird.The kinglets are usually assigned their own family, Regulidae, but are sometimes placed in the warbler family Sylviidae.Cf. earlier gold-crested wren n. at gold-crested adj. Compounds, golden-crested wren n. at golden-crested adj. Compounds.
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the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > family Muscicapidae (thrushes, etc.) > subfamily Sylviidae (warbler) > [noun] > genus Regulus > regulus regulus (goldcrest)
yellowbird1625
regulus1750
basilisk1753
marigold bird1772
nettle creeper1772
goldcrest1819
marigold finch1828
kinglet1835
woodcock pilot1871
thumb bird1885
tot-o'er-seas1885
herring spink1906
pope's eye1965
1819 Synopsis Contents Brit. Mus. (ed. 15) 65 The Common Gold-crest, the smallest of the British Birds, and a beautiful whitish variety of the same Bird.
1882 Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 9 553 No Gold-crests or Creepers, and rarely any Wrens were seen.
1914 Times 2 May 8/1 The completed nest... The feathers overflowing above as if the little goldcrests had been pillow-fighting.
1953 D. A. Bannerman Birds Brit. Isles II. 292 To watch a male gold-crest displaying to the lady of his choice.
2006 Countryman Dec. 23 The goldcrest, with its distinctive golden blaze, is the smallest of our birds.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1819