Chickadee - Black Capped

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Scientific Name: Parus atricapillus

Basic Info

The Black-Capped Chickadee is adorned with a black cap over its head and a black throat. Its back is gray in color, with a soft white beneath its wings and white cheeks. The wing feathers are dusted at the edges with a similar soft white. Its voice has a buzzing tone to it, quiet and subdued, in contrast with its behavior. The average mature adult will read five inches (13 centimeters)in length.

Health

One of the great things about these birds is how friendly they are; few birds are this taken with humans and they will be pleased to make their winter home in your backyard, provided you give them enough material to do it. Black-Capped Chickadees will thrive in conditions that include vines, pine trees, birch trees, and Woodbine. They will be naturally attracted to feeders that include black oil sunflower seed and peanuts. It is also reported that they prefer swinging feeders. These Chickadees are omnivorous and they eat approximately 70 percent insects and 30 percent plant matter, seeds etc. They feed mostly on small insects, beetles, caterpillars and ants. They are also known to eat spiders and spider eggs. Birdbaths will keep their thirst quenched and their babies healthy, and adding a heater to the birdbath will make life bearable for them during the colder winter months. They will eat from your hand if you're gentle enough about it - try a handful of peanuts and slow, calm movement forward to let them know you're friendly. Breeding They will gladly make their nests with feathers, twigs, leaves, and wool and possibly begin to raise eggs there. The nests will usually be upwards of ten feet off the ground. Eggs take around 15 days to incubate.The chicks will take flight at around 16 days old, but remain with their parents until about 28 days old . You'll be able to take a passive role in watching these playful birds come to life.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

With a cheerful chirp and a quick dart of the legs, the Black-Capped Chickadee is a fascinating bird to watch from afar, and it is friendly enough to interact with in your own backyard. Finding their homes mostly in the rotting sections of birch and pine trees, your backyard can be a perfectly suitable home for these friendly birds. One of the best things about these adorable little birds is that they love to do various acrobatic tricks. At any time during the day, they can be seen hanging upside-down from trees, flipping about in the air, or darting around on the ground with lightning-fast speed. They are known to migrate mostly to the Southern United States in the wintertime and will be found in abundance during the winter months. Flocks will come in large numbers, so be prepared for an invasion, if your backyard is particularly inviting. If you are looking to provide a perfect home, old woodpecker nests or birdhouses will work wonderfully for the Black-Capped Chickadee, provided you have plenty of feathers, twigs, leaves, and wool around.

Origin

North America

History

An interesting fact about the black-capped chickadee is that it is strikingly similar to the Carolina chickadee. Crossbreeding among the two species is very common and there are certain types of both breeds that cannot be classified as being part of either breed. The ranges of both birds are also similar, resulting in a lot of coexistence, but you can still tell the difference between the two. The Carolina variety will sing four notes and the Black Capped Chickadee will sing only two. Also, the Black Capped Chickadee will be a bit larger, with slightly different coloration around the edges of the wings.

Common Foods

feathers, twigs, leaves, and wool