Golden-crested Wren (Regulus cristatus), a very beautiful bird of the family Sylviidæ, the smallest of British birds. Its entire length is scarcely three inches and a half. Notwithstanding its English name, it is not really a wren, but this name continues in popular use rather than Regulus and Kinglet, which have been proposed instead. The golden-crested wren is greenish-yellow on the upper parts, the cheeks and throat grayish-white; the crown feathers elongated, and forming a bright yellow crest. In its habits it is intermediate between the warblers and the tits.
It particularly affects fir-woods. It is not uncommon in Britain, from the most southern to the most northern parts; but many come also from more northern countries to spend the winter, and it is on record that, in October 1822, thousands were driven on the coast of Northumberland and Durham by a severe gale from the north-east. The nest of this bird is suspended from the outermost twigs of a branch of fir, some of them being interwoven with it.—Another species (R. ignicapillus), with more vividly red crest, is sometimes found in Britain, and species are found in Asia and North America.