Description of the Black-capped Chickadee
BREEDING MALE
Length: 5 in. Wingspan: 8 in.
Female
Same as male.
Seasonal change in appearance
None.
Juvenile
Similar to adults.
Habitat
Woodlands, groves, forest edges, and suburban areas with mature trees.
Diet
Primarily insects and seeds. Readily frequents bird feeders for suet or seeds.
Behavior
Very active as it forages on twigs and branches. Often occurs in mixed-species flock in the winter, along with nuthatches, kinglets, Downy Woodpeckers, and other small songbirds.
Range
A widespread resident from central Alaska to eastern Canada and south through the south-central U.S.
Black-capped Chickadee populations are largely stable.
Fun Facts
Males often feed females during spring courtship.
Both sexes may help excavate a cavity, while the nest is built largely by the female.
Vocalizations
Song is fee-bee, feebaaa.
Call is an eponymous “chick-a-dee-dee”. Often given as an alarm call, the more dee-dee-dees in the string, the more serious the chickadee believes the threat to be.
Click here to order a Blue Jay ring tone.
Learn to identify bird songs with the Stokes Eastern or Western Field Guide to Bird Songs on CD.
Attracting
Black-capped Chickadees are a popular backyard bird. Offer black oil sunflower or sunflower hearts. Suet is also a chickadee favorite.
