Goldcrests in Austria
When the Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) is present in Austria, when it nests, and which native Austria plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Austria
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 9 cm, 6 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect goldcrests in Austria
The Goldcrest lives in Austria all year round. Cold, snowy winters, especially at altitude.
Continental and Alpine; most of the country is mountainous.
Nesting in Austria
In Austria the Goldcrest usually nests April–July. Nest site: hammock under a conifer branch. Clutches are 7–10 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days; chicks fledge after 17–22 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Goldcrest does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Austria plants for goldcrests
Of the native plants we track for Austria, these 8 provide food the Goldcrest uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Feeding in the garden
Tiny insects in conifers.
- Best foods: Suet.
- Feeders: Suet cage.
- Heavily hit by cold winters — dense conifers help them survive.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are goldcrests in Austria all year?
Yes — the Goldcrest is resident in Austria all year.
When do goldcrests nest in Austria?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 7–10 eggs, incubated for 15–17 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help goldcrests in Austria?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Bramble, Wild cherry, Crab apple, Silver birch are native to Austria and provide food or cover the Goldcrest uses.
Goldcrests in other countries
Other garden birds in Austria
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.