Discover a comprehensive guide that will aid you in identifying the diverse array of Chickadee species inhabiting the scenic landscapes of British Columbia. With captivating photo IDs, detailed descriptions, enchanting audio recordings of their melodic songs, intriguing fun facts, and much more, this guide is your ultimate companion.
Chickadees, those spirited little songbirds, dart about tirelessly in search of insects, and they readily grace backyard feeders with their presence. Belonging to the Poecile family of avian wonders, these delightful creatures constitute a mere seven species of Chickadee, all of which thrive in the vast expanse of North America.
In British Columbia, one can spot four distinct types of Chickadees. While the Black-capped Chickadees and Chestnut-backed Chickadees reign as the most prevalent, the Mountain Chickadees and Boreal Chickadees also make regular appearances in this breathtaking province.
Remarkably, Chickadees do not undertake extensive migratory journeys, although they may seek lower altitudes during the winter season. To endure the chilling months, scientific studies have shown that Chickadees employ various survival strategies such as storing food, seeking shelter in cavities, and entering a state of regulated nocturnal hypothermia to conserve energy.
Due to their high body temperature and voracious appetite, Chickadees exhibit an insatiable desire for sustenance, consuming an amount equivalent to their own body weight every single day!
Regrettably, Chickadees tend to possess a relatively short lifespan, with an average of merely two to three years. Astonishingly, some exceptional individuals have been documented to live up to twelve years.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees can be quite challenging, as they bear striking similarities. However, it is worth noting that only the males have the privilege of performing the resounding “Fee-bee” song.
In terms of their dietary preferences, Chickadees primarily feed on insects and seeds, exhibiting a penchant for frequenting backyard feeders in search of nourishing seeds or delectable suet. Additionally, be sure to explore the other fascinating species of backyard birds that grace the landscapes of British Columbia, and don’t forget to obtain a complimentary ID chart.
This comprehensive guide is meticulously crafted to aid you in identifying the various types of Chickadees commonly sighted in British Columbia, drawing from reliable sources such as avibase and leveraging data gathered by dedicated bird enthusiasts on ebird to provide accurate and insightful information regarding the occurrence patterns of these splendid birds.
Without further ado, let us embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting world of Chickadees, uncovering the wonders that await in the magnificent province of British Columbia.
Four Fascinating Varieties of Chickadees in British Columbia:
1. The Captivating Black-capped Chickadee
Residing in British Columbia year-round, the Black-capped Chickadee graces 23% of summer checklists and 33% of winter checklists submitted by passionate bird watchers in the province.
Sporting endearing features such as round heads and petite bodies, Black-capped Chickadees enchant viewers with their irresistible charm. These delightful birds joyfully partake in backyard feasts, displaying a curious nature that extends to their investigation of everything, including your presence!
With black caps, beaks, and throats, complemented by white cheeks, and gray plumage adorning their backs, wings, and tails, these charismatic creatures bear a striking resemblance to their Carolina Chickadee counterparts.
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 remain non-migratory, enchanting the northern regions of both the United States and Canada.
You can easily spot Black-capped Chickadees in forests, open woodlands, and parks. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Listen to the melodious call of the Black-capped Chickadee:
(Insert audio recording credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222)
Nests of Black-capped Chickadees are usually found within old woodpecker nests, although they sometimes fashion their own cavities in decaying branches. The construction of the nest is a collaborative effort between the male and female, with the female meticulously lining it with moss and other soft materials such as fur.
Impressively, these resourceful birds can lay a substantial clutch of up to thirteen eggs, which typically take around two weeks to hatch. Subsequently, it takes an additional two weeks for the young chicks to leave the nest, embarking on their own remarkable journeys.
To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, entice them with suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These friendly birds may even feed directly from your hand, often among the first to discover new feeders. They also display a fondness for nest boxes, particularly when filled with cozy wood shavings.
Interesting Fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains that shed old neurons annually, discarding unnecessary information and replacing it with fresh neurons and knowledge.
2. The Charming Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Remaining in British Columbia throughout the year, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee predominantly graces the western and southern regions of the province. This delightful species appears in 16% of summer checklists and 20% of winter checklists.
Adorned with black caps and throats, accentuated by white cheeks, Chestnut-backed Chickadees emanate a captivating allure. Their backs and sides boast a lustrous chestnut hue, while their wings and bellies shimmer in elegant shades of gray. In California, their sides bear a charming gray tone 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 flock together in the verdant realms of wet evergreen forests along the majestic Pacific Coast, frequently gracing backyard feeders with their delightful presence.
You can spot Chestnut-backed Chickadees in conifer forests, where they predominantly feast on insects, including caterpillars, spiders, wasps, aphids, as well as seeds, berries, and fruits.
Listen to the enchanting call of the Chestnut-backed Chickadee:
(Insert audio recording credit: Simon Elliott, XC597659, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/597659)
When it comes to nesting, Chestnut-backed Chickadees typically inhabit holes in decaying wood, be it created by their own efforts or inherited from woodpeckers. The female diligently lines the cavity with moss, bark, and other soft materials, such as fur and grass. The clutch can consist of up to eleven eggs, which hatch after approximately two weeks. Subsequently, the fledglings spend nearly three weeks in the nest before venturing forth into the world.
To entice Chestnut-backed Chickadees to your yard, offer delectable treats such as black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, peanuts, or mealworms in various feeder types, including tube feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. Additionally, providing nest boxes can prove instrumental in attracting a pair of these delightful creatures.
3. The Majestic Mountain Chickadee
Residing in British Columbia year-round, the Mountain Chickadee makes appearances on approximately 5% of both summer and winter checklists.
Mountain Chickadees captivate onlookers with their diminutive size, featuring black-and-white heads, accompanied by gray plumage that deepens on their backs and lightens underneath.
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli
Length: 4.3-5.5 inches (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4 ounces (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees proudly call the mountainous regions of the western United States their year-round abode, eschewing migratory patterns. However, during winter, they may descend to lower elevations.
These delightful creatures favor evergreen forests, particularly those adorned with pine and coniferous trees. Their diet comprises insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, and they often grace backyard feeders. Notably, Mountain Chickadees are renowned for their practice of storing food for future consumption, diligently creating a reserve of sustenance.
Listen to the melodious call of the Mountain Chickadee:
(Insert audio recording credit: Richard E. Webster, XC619853, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/619853)
Nests of Mountain Chickadees are often nestled within abandoned woodpecker or nuthatch cavities. The resourceful female skillfully lines the cavity with fur and takes the extra precaution of covering her eggs when she departs. The clutch can encompass up to nine eggs, which hatch after approximately two weeks, with an additional three weeks dedicated to nurturing the young until they fledge.
To attract Mountain Chickadees to your backyard, consider installing nest boxes, as these charming birds readily visit most feeder types when presented with enticing offerings such as black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, and peanut butter.
Interesting Fact: The incubation period of Mountain Chickadee eggs is approximately 50% longer than that of other Chickadee species. This disparity is likely attributed to the protective qualities of their chosen nesting sites, such as vacant woodpecker nests, coupled with the female’s instinct to cover the eggs when departing.
4. The Enigmatic Boreal Chickadee
While not particularly abundant in British Columbia, the elusive Boreal Chickadee can be spotted throughout the year, particularly from June to September.
Boreal Chickadees showcase a charming blend of grayish-brown tones, adorned with a dark brown cap, a small black bib, cinnamon sides, and a white underbelly 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 predominantly inhabit Canada and Alaska, occasionally venturing into the northern regions of the United States.
These delightful songbirds are commonly found in coniferous forests, often in close proximity to water sources. However, they also display adaptability, venturing into deciduous or mixed forests. Boreal Chickadees thrive on a diet comprising seeds, insects, and, true to their nature, are keen visitors to various feeders.
Listen to the captivating call of the Boreal Chickadee:
(Insert audio recording credit: Ken Hall, XC511286, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/511286)
When it comes to nesting, Boreal Chickadees typically select hollows within deceased trees, with the female playing an active role in creating the cavity. Moss and bark serve as the initial lining materials, followed by softer substances like hair and feathers. The clutch usually consists of up to nine eggs, which hatch after slightly over two weeks.
To allure Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, entice them with offerings such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms, using various feeder types. Furthermore, consider installing a nesting box to attract a potential mating pair.
Interesting Fact: Boreal Chickadees exhibit an impressive ability to store seeds and insects, allowing them to establish a food reserve to sustain them throughout the long and arduous winter months.
Attracting Chickadees to Your Backyard
The joy of observing Chickadees in your own backyard is an experience worth pursuing. To attract these delightful birds to your haven, consider implementing the following measures:
1. Supply an array of feeders with enticing treats such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Ensure that your feeders accommodate various types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
3. Provide a water source, such as a birdbath, preferably with running water, as it can serve as an irresistible attraction.
4. Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs that entice insects, an essential component of Chickadee diets.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as a vital food source.
6. Offer shelter by planting trees and shrubs, providing safe havens for these enchanting creatures.
7. Consider installing nest boxes with small entrance holes positioned 5-15 feet above ground, appealing to their nesting instincts.
8. Ensure the safety of Chickadees by keeping cats indoors, reducing potential threats.
9. Exercise patience, as it may take some time for the birds to discover your yard and feeders, but the wait will be worth it.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees are renowned for their charming vocalizations, with the signature “chick a dee” call and the melodic “fee bee” song captivating listeners.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. “Fee-bee”:
This enchanting call is predominantly produced by male Chickadees. The first note carries a higher pitch than the second, and males tend to create some distance from one another while singing.
(Insert audio recording credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222)
2. Faint “Fee-bee”:
Both males and females emit this delicate call, often used by females to summon the male for feeding while she incubates the eggs. It serves as a form of communication between parents and their young.
3. Chick-a-dee Call:
Acting as a mild alarm call, the “chick-a-dee” call also serves as a contact call within flocks, aiding in coordinating movements among the group.
(Insert audio recording credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822)
4. Gargle:
This distinctive call consists of a series of short notes, ranging from two to nine. Chickadees emit the gargle as a warning to birds that invade their space at feeders, compelling them to retreat further away.
(Insert audio recording credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956)
5. Begging Call:
Young Chickadees employ a bee-like call to entice their parents into feeding them, a delightful display of their dependence and desire for nourishment.
(Insert audio recording credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609)
6. High Seet Call:
An alarm call utilized in the presence of predators, the “high seet” call serves as a warning signal to alert fellow Chickadees and nearby birds.
(Insert audio recording credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305, accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305)
Frequent Sightings of Chickadees in British Columbia during Summer and Winter
Checklists provide invaluable insights into the prevalence of various bird species in specific regions. Based on ebird checklists, we can identify the frequency of Chickadee sightings during summer and winter in British Columbia.
Chickadees in British Columbia during Summer:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 23.9%
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 16.7%
– Mountain Chickadee: 4.6%
– Boreal Chickadee: 0.3%
Chickadees in British Columbia during Winter:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 33.5%
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 20.5%
– Mountain Chickadee: 5.7%
– Boreal Chickadee: 0.3%
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Chickadees, as these delightful birds grace the picturesque landscapes of British Columbia with their presence.