Behold, this comprehensive manual shall aid you in discerning the various species of Chickadees that grace the splendid landscape of Arizona. Accompanied by photographic identifications, vivid descriptions, enchanting audio recordings of their melodious tunes, intriguing trivia, and more, this guide is a treasure trove of avian knowledge.
Chickadees, those industrious avian minstrels, flit about tirelessly in search of insects and merrily frequent backyard feeding stations. They belong to the esteemed Poecile family, encompassing a mere seven Chickadee species that exclusively inhabit the grand realm of North America.
Within Arizona’s borders, Mountain Chickadees are the resident species throughout the year, while sightings of Mexican Chickadees and Black-capped Chickadees have also graced this region.
Unlike their migratory counterparts, Chickadees prefer not to embark on long journeys, yet they may descend to lower elevations during the frigid winter months. Fascinating studies have revealed that these small birds employ various survival strategies during the harsh winter season, including food caching, roosting in cozy cavities, and even entering a regulated nocturnal hypothermic state to conserve precious energy.
The insatiable appetite of Chickadees, driven by their elevated body temperature, compels them to consume an amount of sustenance equivalent to their own weight on a daily basis!
Regrettably, the lifespan of these delightful creatures tends to be rather brief, typically spanning a mere two to three years. As adults, they may only experience a solitary breeding season before departing from this realm. However, exceptional cases of Chickadees defying the odds and living for twelve years have been recorded.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees can be quite the challenge, for their appearances are virtually indistinguishable. Only the male exhibits the talent of performing a resounding song known as the ‘Fee Bee,’ while the female contributes her nurturing prowess to the task of raising their young.
Insects and seeds compose the dietary preferences of Chickadees, and they frequently flock to backyard feeders in pursuit of seeds and suet. Discover the myriad other avian species that regularly grace Arizona’s backyards and procure a complimentary chart for identification purposes.
This comprehensive guide serves as your compass for identifying the diverse Chickadee species that grace the enchanting realm of Arizona. Rooted in meticulous data collected from dedicated bird enthusiasts via ebird, augmented by insights from the esteemed avibase, it offers a wealth of authentic information regarding the opportune moments to catch a glimpse of these avian marvels.
The Three Prized Chickadee Varieties of Arizona:
1. Mountain Chickadee
As year-round residents of Arizona, Mountain Chickadees are most commonly sighted from June to October, accounting for 5% of summer checklists and 2% of winter checklists submitted by vigilant bird enthusiasts within the state.
Mountain Chickadees captivate with their diminutive stature, sporting captivating black-and-white head plumage, complemented by a gray body that exhibits a darker tone on the dorsal side and a lighter gray shade on the ventral side.
Scientifically labeled as Poecile gambeli, these dainty songsters establish their permanent abode within the mountains west of the United States, eschewing the migration patterns of their avian peers. During winter, they occasionally descend from their lofty dwellings to seek refuge in lower-altitude regions.
One can locate Mountain Chickadees within evergreen forests, particularly those adorned with majestic pine and coniferous trees. Their diet encompasses insects, spiders, nuts, and seeds, and they frequently grace backyard feeding stations. These resourceful Chickadees display a penchant for storing surplus food for future consumption, establishing a well-stocked larder.
Photograph Credit: Richard E. Webster, XC619853. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/619853.
Mountain Chickadees nest predominantly in aging cavities formerly occupied by woodpeckers and nuthatches. The female diligently lines the cozy cavity with soft fur, ensuring her eggs are well-shielded even during her temporary departures. Clutches of up to nine eggs are incubated for approximately two weeks, followed by an additional three weeks before the fledglings courageously venture out of the nest.
Invite the delightful presence of Mountain Chickadees into your own backyard by erecting nest boxes, providing an enticing array of sustenance such as black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, and peanut butter.
An Intriguing Tidbit: Mountain Chickadees’ eggs require an incubation period 50% longer than those of their Chickadee counterparts, owing to the protective qualities of the abandoned woodpecker nests and the diligent egg coverage by the nurturing female.
2. Mexican Chickadee
Photograph Credit: Don Faulkner
While relatively uncommon within Arizona’s borders, Mexican Chickadees occasionally grace the southeastern part of the state between April and September.
Mexican Chickadees don striking black caps, chins, and throats, complemented by white cheeks. Their dorsal side displays a gray hue, extending to the flanks, while the ventral side exudes a pale gray shade.
Scientifically designated as Poecile sclateri, these avian treasures reside in the territories stretching from Mexico into southern Arizona and New Mexico. They forsake the path of migration, opting for a permanent residence within these domains.
Venture into mountainous coniferous forests to behold the Mexican Chickadee in its element, meticulously foraging for insects amidst the verdant branches and leaves.
Photograph Credit: Manuel Grosselet, XC658567. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/658567.
Mexican Chickadees craft their nests within tree cavities, adorning them with moss and animal hair for enhanced comfort. The female undertakes the noble task of incubating the clutch, while the male dutifully provides nourishment.
Fascinating Fact: Adult Mexican Chickadees display a peculiar behavior of leaving crushed beetles outside their nest entrances, harnessing the chemicals released by these insects to deter potential predators.
3. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees are a rare and fortuitous sight within Arizona’s territory, occasionally making fleeting appearances in the northern regions during the winter months.
Endowed with a captivating countenance, Black-capped Chickadees enchant with their adorable round heads and dainty physiques. These charming avian wonders display jet-black caps, beaks, and throats, adorned with delicate white cheeks. Gray plumage adorns their backs, wings, and tails, while their bellies boast a lighter hue. Resembling their Carolina Chickadee counterparts, these delightful creatures evoke a sense of delight.
Scientifically known as Poecile atricapillus, Black-capped Chickadees defy migratory tendencies, preferring to grace the northern regions of the United States and Canada with their presence.
One can discover Black-capped Chickadees amidst forests, open woodlands, and parks, where they partake in a diverse diet comprising seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Black-capped Chickadee Call/Song:
Photograph Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Black-capped Chickadees nest predominantly within aging woodpecker nests. In some cases, they may ingeniously carve out their own cavities within decaying branches. Both males and females contribute to nest-building efforts, with the female meticulously lining the cozy abode with moss and other soft materials, such as fur.
Remarkably, Black-capped Chickadees lay relatively large clutches, boasting up to thirteen eggs. These precious orbs undergo an incubation period of approximately two weeks, after which the fledglings remain nestled within the nest for an additional two weeks before embarking on their grand adventure.
Invite the delightful presence of Black-capped Chickadees into your own backyard by providing enticing offerings such as suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These friendly avian companions may even partake in feeding from your own hand, often among the first to discover new feeding stations. Nest boxes prove particularly enticing, especially when filled with cozy wood shavings.
Curious Fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains capable of shedding old neurons each year to make way for new information and neurons, fostering continuous learning and adaptation.
Luring Chickadees to Your Backyard
The delightful presence of Chickadees can be yours to behold by enticing them into your cherished backyard. Should you desire more encounters with these endearing avian gems, consider employing the following tactics:
1. Provide an array of sustenance, including black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Employ diverse feeder types, such as tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders, to cater to their preferences.
3. Establish a water source, such as a birdbath, preferably with a gentle flow of water.
4. Cultivate a haven of berry-producing trees and shrubs, attracting a variety of insects to sustain their appetites.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects for sustenance.
6. Foster a sanctuary with ample trees and shrubs, providing shelter and nesting opportunities.
7. Consider installing nest boxes with small entrance holes, positioned 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
8. Ensure the safety of these avian visitors by keeping cats indoors.
9. Exercise patience, for it may take some time for the avian community to discover your offerings and make your backyard their haven.
Chickadee Melodies and Calls
Chickadees have become renowned for their eponymous “chick a dee” call, which actually serves as a mild alarm or contact call. Their true song, however, manifests as a delightful “fee bee” melody.
Chickadee Vocalizations:
1. Fee-bee
This melodic call is produced exclusively by males.
The first note exhibits a higher pitch than the subsequent note.
Males tend to distance themselves from their peers while vocalizing.
Photograph Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
Both males and females emit this soft call.
Females utilize it as a means of summoning their partners to provide sustenance while they incubate the eggs.
This call is employed for communication between parents and their young.
3. Chick-a-dee Call
Serving as a mild alarm call, it allows for communication within flocks.
It aids in coordinating movements among flock members.
Photograph Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
Comprising a series of two to nine short notes, this call is employed when Chickadees become too close to one another, either within flocks or around feeders.
It serves as a warning to prompt another Chickadee to retreat.
Photograph Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
Young Chickadees emit this endearing “bee” call to beseech their parents for nourishment.
Photograph Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
When potential predators lurk nearby, Chickadees issue this alarm call, signifying imminent danger.
Photograph Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in Arizona during Summer and Winter
Checklists serve as invaluable resources, shedding light on the avian inhabitants frequently spotted within your state. Delving into these records unveils the prevalence of various Chickadee species, both in summer and winter, as documented on ebird.
Chickadee Sightings in Arizona during Summer:
Mountain Chickadee: 5.5%
Mexican Chickadee: 0.8%
Black-capped Chickadee: <0.1%
Chickadee Sightings in Arizona during Winter:
Mountain Chickadee: 2.7%
Mexican Chickadee: 0.1%
Black-capped Chickadee: <0.1%