Regulidae

Kinglets (family Regulidae) are tiny passerine birds that live in the Northern Hemisphere. Members of this family barely reach 10 cm of length; they are among the smallest Passeriformes, and the smallest birds in Europe. The family contains two genera, Regulus and the monotypic Corthylio, of which Corthylio was lumped with the type genus. They feed primarily on arthropodes and are very active. They can often be seen in the company of other small songbirds such as tits (or chickadees) and nuthatches. Their life expectancy is quite low, due to the high mortality rate during the first year of life. Individuals that survive their first winter, however, are likely to live a few more years, laying a dozen of eggs each year and compensating for the number of birds that have died. The English name "kinglet" and the Latin name "regulus" (meaning "small king") come from the golden-coloured crown that the members of the family all have. The common names of these birds in other languages, such as the French "Roitelet" and the Norwegian "Fuglekonge", have a similar meaning.