In Alaska, this comprehensive handbook will assist you in identifying the various species of Chickadees with photo identifications, detailed descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their melodious tunes, intriguing facts, and much more.
Chickadees, those industrious little songbirds, flit about in search of insects and happily visit backyard feeders. Belonging to the Poecile avian family, these delightful creatures comprise only seven distinct species, all of which reside in North America.
Alaska boasts five distinct species of Chickadees. Among them, three species, namely the Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Boreal Chickadee, can be spotted throughout the year. Additionally, there are two rare or occasional species.
Although Chickadees do not undertake long migrations, they may descend to lower altitudes during the winter months. To survive the harsh cold, scientific studies have revealed their ability to store food, seek refuge in cavities, and employ regulated nocturnal hypothermia to conserve energy.
Due to their elevated body temperature and constant need for sustenance, Chickadees possess an insatiable appetite, consuming an amount of food equivalent to their own body weight every day!
Chickadees, on average, have relatively short lifespans, typically lasting a mere two to three years. As adults, they may only survive for a single year, allowing them just one breeding season. However, there have been instances of Chickadees living up to twelve years.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees can be challenging, as they appear identical. However, only the male serenades with its resounding “Fee Bee” song.
These charming songbirds feast on insects and seeds, frequently visiting backyard feeders in search of nourishing seeds or suet. Discover the diverse range of other backyard avian visitors to Alaska and receive a complimentary identification chart.
This detailed guide aims to aid you in recognizing the Chickadee species found in Arizona, relying on avibase and data accumulated from vigilant bird enthusiasts utilizing ebird to provide accurate information on when these birds can be observed.
The following are the five Chickadee species found in Alaska:
1. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees are most prevalent in Alaska during the winter months, from October to April. They appear in 11% of checklists during the summer and 33% during the winter, as reported by dedicated bird observers in the state.
Black-capped Chickadees exhibit endearing characteristics, boasting round heads and petite bodies. These charismatic birds delight in feeding from backyard feeders and curiously inspecting their surroundings, including human observers!
These delightful creatures possess black caps, beaks, and throats, accompanied by white cheeks. Their back, wings, and tail showcase a gray hue, while their bellies appear lighter. They bear a striking resemblance to Carolina Chickadees.
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus
Length: 4.7-5.9 inches (12-15 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 ounces (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 inches (16-21 cm)
Black-capped Chickadees do not migrate and can be observed in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
Black-capped Chickadees primarily inhabit forests, open woodlands, and parks. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Call/Song of the Black-capped Chickadee:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Black-capped Chickadees usually nest in old woodpecker nests but can also create cavities in decaying branches. Both male and female Chickadees participate in nest construction, with the female lining it with moss and other soft materials such as fur.
Their clutch size can reach up to thirteen eggs, taking approximately two weeks to hatch, followed by an additional two weeks for the fledglings to leave the nest.
To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, offer suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. They may even feed directly from your hand and are often among the first birds to discover new feeders. Additionally, they readily utilize nest boxes, especially if furnished with wood shavings.
Fun Fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess incredible brains that shed old neural information each year, making room for new neurons and knowledge.
2. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are year-round residents of Alaska, primarily found in the southeastern part of the state. They account for 4% of summer checklists and 11% of winter checklists.
These diminutive birds feature black caps and throats, complemented by white cheeks. Their backs and sides exhibit a rich chestnut coloration, while their wings and bellies appear gray. Notably, in California, their sides display a gray shade instead of brown.
Scientific Name: Poecile rufescens
Length: 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (7-12 g)
Wingspan: 7.5 inches (19 cm)
Chestnut-backed Chickadees thrive in wet evergreen forests along the Pacific Coast and frequently visit backyard feeders.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees typically inhabit coniferous forests and primarily consume insects, including caterpillars, spiders, wasps, and aphids. Their diet also comprises seeds, berries, and fruit.
Credit: Simon Elliott, XC597659. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/597659.
Nests of Chestnut-backed Chickadees are typically situated in hollows within decaying wood, either constructed by the birds themselves or adapted from old woodpecker nests. The nests are lined with moss, bark, and additional soft materials such as fur and grass. The birds lay up to eleven eggs, requiring around two weeks to hatch, followed by nearly three weeks until the young leave the nest.
To attract Chestnut-backed Chickadees to your yard, provide black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, peanuts, or mealworms using tube feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. They also appreciate the availability of nest boxes.
3. Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Chickadees can be found year-round in Alaska, accounting for 5% of summer checklists and 13% of winter checklists.
These small grayish-brown songbirds possess dark brown caps, small black bibs, cinnamon-colored sides, and white undersides and cheeks.
Scientific Name: Poecile hudsonicus
Length: 4.9-5.5 inches (12.5-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (7-12.4 g)
Boreal Chickadees are primarily found in Canada and Alaska but may occasionally venture into northern regions of the United States.
Boreal Chickadees predominantly inhabit coniferous forests, often in proximity to bodies of water. However, they can also be found in deciduous or mixed forests. Their diet consists of seeds and insects, which they glean from the upper reaches of the canopy. They readily visit feeders as well.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Nests of Boreal Chickadees are typically located in dead trees, with the female responsible for excavating the cavity. Moss and bark serve as the primary lining, supplemented with hair and feathers. Clutches consist of up to nine eggs, requiring a little over two weeks to hatch.
To attract Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms using various feeder types. Providing a nesting box can also entice a mating pair.
Fun Fact: Boreal Chickadees diligently store seeds and insects for the challenging winter months.
4. Gray-headed Chickadee
Gray-headed Chickadees are considered rare or accidental species in Alaska, with the last sighting recorded in 2018 near Marsh Fork Willow Thicket.
These birds possess dark brown caps, black chin and eye stripes, and white cheeks. Their backs exhibit shades of brown, while their wings display dark gray streaks with hints of white. Their sides are pale brown.
Scientific Name: Poecile cinctus
Length: 5.3-5.5 inches (13.5-14 cm)
Weight: 0.39-0.5 ounces (11-14.3 g)
Gray-headed Chickadees can be found in Alaska, northwestern Canada, and across northern Europe, and they do not undertake migrations.
Gray-headed Chickadees primarily inhabit arctic streamside thickets containing willow and spruce. Due to their remote locations, spotting them can prove challenging. They feed on insects, spiders, and seeds, often storing food for the winter.
Credit: Albert Lastukhin, XC674887. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/674887.
Nests of Gray-headed Chickadees are typically situated in tree cavities, often utilizing abandoned woodpecker nests. Moss and animal hair are used to line the nests.
5. Mountain Chickadee
Mountain Chickadees are accidental species in Alaska, with only a few sightings recorded in the state. The most recent sighting dates back to 2018 around Grandchild Ridge in Juneau.
These diminutive birds boast black-and-white heads, with the rest of their bodies covered in shades of gray. Their backs appear darker, while their undersides showcase a light gray hue.
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli
Length: 4.3-5.5 inches (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4 ounces (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees are year-round inhabitants of the mountainous regions of the western United States and do not migrate. However, during winter, they may descend to lower elevations.
Mountain Chickadees primarily inhabit evergreen forests, particularly those rich in pine and coniferous trees. Their diet consists of insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, and they frequently visit backyard feeders. These resourceful birds often create food stores for future consumption.
Credit: Richard E. Webster, XC619853. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/619853.
Nests of Mountain Chickadees are typically situated in old nesting holes created by woodpeckers and nuthatches. The female lines the cavity with fur and covers the eggs when she leaves. Clutches consist of up to nine eggs, requiring around two weeks to hatch, followed by an additional three weeks until the young leave the nest.
To attract Mountain Chickadees to your yard, provide nesting boxes and various feeder types stocked with black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer seeds, suet, and peanut butter.
Fun Fact: Mountain Chickadees incubate their eggs for 50% longer than other Chickadee species, likely due to the added protection provided by their utilization of old woodpecker nests, with the female diligently covering the eggs when she departs.
Attracting Chickadees to Your Backyard
Observing Chickadees’ delightful antics as they tirelessly seek sustenance is a joy. To attract more of these adorable birds to your yard, consider the following tips:
1. Supply feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Chickadees readily feed from various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
3. Provide a water source, such as a birdbath, preferably with running water.
4. Plant berry-producing trees and shrubs to attract insects, a vital component of their diet.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects for nourishment.
6. Create shelter by planting trees and shrubs, providing a safe haven for these birds.
7. Install nesting boxes with a small hole measuring 1 1/8 inches and position them 5-15 feet above the ground.
8. Keep cats indoors to prevent any harm to the birds.
9. Exercise patience, as it may take some time for the birds to discover your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees are renowned for their distinctive “chick-a-dee” call, which actually serves as a mild alarm or contact call. Additionally, their song is characterized by a “fee bee” sound.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– Produced by males.
– The first note has a higher pitch than the second.
– Males distance themselves from other males while singing.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
– Produced by both males and females.
– Females use this call to summon the male for feeding while incubating.
– Used between parents and offspring.
3. Chick-a-dee call
– Mild alarm call.
– Contact calls within flocks.
– Coordination of movement within flocks.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
– Series of two to nine short notes.
– Used to warn birds that come too close in flocks or at feeders.
– Serves as a warning before the Chickadee takes defensive action to drive away intruders.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young Chickadees emit “bee” calls to elicit feeding behavior from their parents.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– Alarm call signaling the presence of predators.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in Alaska during Summer and Winter
Checklists provide valuable insights into the frequency of bird sightings in different states. The following percentages represent the occurrence of Chickadee species on checklists submitted to ebird during summer and winter in Alaska:
Chickadees in Alaska during Summer:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 11.7%
– Boreal Chickadee: 5.2%
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 4.8%
– Gray-headed Chickadee: <0.1%
Chickadees in Alaska during Winter:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 33.2%
– Boreal Chickadee: 13.8%
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 11.4%
– Mountain Chickadee: <0.1%