Continentally seen: winters in deep south and up along both coasts; summer and nesting in Rocky mountains, west coast and most of Canada and Alaska with boreal northern regions excepted; and migratory throughout the middle continent. They can be seen from sea level to more than ten thousand feet elevation.

Numerous in coniferous forests during summer breeding in boreal or montane forests, especially spruce and fir. Widespread in winter and migration and may be in deciduous forest, suburbs, swamps, bottomlands, and scrubby habitat.

Tiny body, a thin bill, and a conspicuous tear drop shaped white eye ring, slightly broken at the top. Bright greenish-gray above and paler below and olive lores, and a ruby crown patch visible only during display or when the bird is agitated. Black at base of secondaries, contrasting with white lower wing bars. Some males may have orange, yellow or olive crown patch.

Adult female is similar to male without ruby crown patch. Immature has somewhat pointier tail feathers.