black-capped chickadee

1. Bird Name

The bird in focus is the Black-capped Chickadee, scientifically known as Poecile atricapillus.

2. Appearance

The Black-capped Chickadee is a charming, small bird with a distinctive appearance. Its coloration is predominantly grey and white, with a black cap and bib, which are offset by white cheeks. The underparts are a soft, light grey which gradually glides into a warm buff color towards the rump. The wings and tail are slate-gray with narrow white edges. The bird possesses a short, dark beak suited to its seed-eating habits, while its eyes are a striking, bold black. Both males and females have similar appearances, making it difficult to distinguish between sexes.

3. Size

This bird averages 12-15 cm (approx 5-6 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 16-21 cm (approx 6-8 inches). Their weight range typically falls between 9 and 14 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution

The Black-capped Chickadee is common across much of North America. It has a vast range, extending from the Alaskan Interior and Yukon to Newfoundland in Canada, southward to California, and stretching to New Mexico and Georgia in the United states. Typically, this bird species prefers deciduous and mixed forests, open woods, parks, willow thickets, and residential areas.

5. Interesting Facts

One fascinating fact is that the Black-capped Chickadee is known for its high level of curiosity and its lack of fear of humans. Moreover, it is remarkably adaptable to extreme cold, thanks to its ability to lower its body temperature during cold winter nights. In addition, these birds are known for hiding seeds and other food items to eat later, remembering thousands of hiding places.

6. Diet

The Black-capped Chickadee has an omnivorous diet. In summer, it predominantly eats insects and spiders. In fall and winters, it switches to seeds and berries. It will also visit bird feeders for nuts or suet.

7. Behavior & Sounds

The Black-capped Chickadee exhibits a flitting, acrobatic flight. The bird’s song is a simple, clear whistle of two notes, sounding like ‘fee-bee’. Its well-known ‘chick-a-dee-dee-dee’ call is complex and communicates information on identity and recognition of other flocks as well as alarms and contact.

8. Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the Black-capped Chickadee is of least concern, thanks to its large, stable population and continuing range.

9. Lifespan

On average, Black-capped Chickadees live to be about 2.5 years old in the wild, though the oldest known wild individual lived up 12 years. Their lifespan tends to be longer in captivity, with instances recorded up to 17 years.

10. Additional Notes

Native Americans have traditionally viewed the Black-capped Chickadee as a symbol of truth and knowledge. Its timeless ‘chick-a-dee-dee-dee’ call has made it a darling among bird watchers. This bird significantly impacts its ecosystems as it controls insect numbers and disperses seeds around. Furthermore, in some regions, they are commonly referred to as “titmouse” or “tomtit”. Due to their trust in humans, they can be hand-fed, offering a unique experience to bird lovers.