The firecrest is similar to a goldcrest, but with more exuberant colours. The stripes on and at the side of the head are more or less the same, however the firecrest has a contrasting white eyebrow band and a jet-black flash directly through the eyes. This imparts a rather fiery appearance to this special small bird. Rather than a yellow stripe, the male firecrest has a bright orange one on its crown. As well as the variant appearance, it is also its call, biotope, migratory behaviour and lifestyle that make this an entirely different bird.