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1. Nombre del ave
The bird in focus is the Black-Capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), known for its energetic and curious disposition.

2. Aspecto
As its name suggests, the Black-Capped Chickadee sports a distinctive ‘cap’ of black feathers on its crown down to its neck. It has a sizeable, round head with a short, stout black beak. Their eyes are deep black which stand out against their pale white cheeks. Their compact body is covered in soft gray plumage with its wings and tail showcasing a slight brown shade. Both males and females look alike, they’re monomorphic, making it difficult to distinguish between the sexes based on physical characteristics alone.

3. Tamaño
The Black-Capped Chickadee averages around 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 inches) in length. It has a wingspan of approximately 16-21 cm (6.3-8.3 inches). These birds are light, typically weighing between 9 to 14 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución
These birds are a common sight in North America, particularly in the northern parts of the United States and throughout Canada. They favor deciduous and mixed forests, but are also found in suburban and urban areas. In the United States, they usually reside year-round in their range, but in Canada, some may move slightly south in the winter.

5. Datos de interés
These birds are known for their complex communication, utilizing over a dozen distinct calls to communicate with each other, attracting mates, warning of predators, and maintaining their feeding territories. Remarkably, they have a well-developed spatial memory which helps them remember where they have hidden their food supplies.

6. Dieta
Primarily insectivorous, the Black-Capped Chickadee’s diet consists of caterpillars, spiders, worms, and other insects. They also eat seed and berries, particularly in colder months when insects are scarce.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
The Black-Capped Chickadee is highly social and curious, seen in flocks outside of the breeding season. They are famous for their “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call from where their name derives. Their song, a simple, clear whistle of “fee-bee” or “hey, sweetie,” differs slightly among individuals allowing them to be identified by their peers.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, the Black-Capped Chickadee is currently categorised as of ‘Least Concern’, as it has a large, stable population distributed over a wide range.

9. Vida útil
In the wild, the average lifespan of a Black-Capped Chickadee is roughly 2-3 years, however, some individuals have been known to live up to 12 years. In captivity, life expectancy can extend up to 15 years with proper care.

10. Notas adicionales
Locally, this bird species is also known as the “Carbonero de Gorro Negro” in Spanish and “Mésange à tête noire” in French. The Black-Capped Chickadee is known to readily take to bird feeders, making them popular with bird watchers. They also play an important role in the ecosystem as they control pest populations due to their feeding habits.