In California, this comprehensive handbook will assist you in identifying all the various species of Chickadees through photo identifications and descriptions. It also includes audio recordings of their melodious tunes, intriguing facts, and much more.
Chickadees, those industrious little songbirds, gracefully flit about while in search of insects, readily visiting backyard feeders. They belong to the esteemed Poecile family of avian creatures, and only seven distinct species of Chickadees inhabit the North American region.
Within California, one can spot the following types of Chickadees: the Chestnut-backed Chickadee, the Mountain Chickadee, and the Black-capped Chickadee.
Although Chickadees do not engage in migratory patterns, they may seek lower altitudes during the winter season. To endure the cold winter months, scientific studies have revealed that Chickadees employ various strategies, such as storing food, seeking refuge in cavities, and entering a regulated state of nocturnal hypothermia to conserve energy.
Due to their high body temperature and constant metabolic demands, Chickadees possess an insatiable appetite, requiring them to consume food equivalent to their own body weight each day!
Regrettably, Chickadees typically have short lifespans, lasting only around two or three years. They may only experience a solitary year as adults and undergo a single breeding season. However, some extraordinary cases have documented Chickadees surviving up to twelve years.
Differentiating between male and female Chickadees can prove challenging since their physical appearances are nearly identical. However, it is worth noting that only the male Chickadees produce the resounding ‘Fee Bee’ song.
Chickadees thrive on a diet consisting of insects and seeds. They frequently flock to backyard feeders in search of seeds or suet. This guide also offers insights into other species of backyard birds commonly found in California and provides a complimentary identification chart.
Drawing from avibase and data sourced from diligent bird watchers on ebird, this guide serves as a reliable source for identifying the species of Chickadees prevalent in California. It incorporates real observations regarding the timing of Chickadee sightings.
California boasts three distinctive types of Chickadees:
1. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
The Chestnut-backed Chickadees permanently reside in California and predominantly inhabit coastal areas. They do not embark on migratory journeys and can be spotted in approximately 13% of summer checklists and 11% of winter checklists submitted by avid bird watchers within the state.
Sporting black caps and throats, with white cheeks, Chestnut-backed Chickadees possess rich chestnut plumage on their backs and sides. Their wings and bellies exhibit shades of gray. However, in California, their sides appear gray instead of brown.
Scientific Name: Poecile rufescens
Size: 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm) in length
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (7-12 g)
Wingspan: 7.5 inches (19 cm)
Chestnut-backed Chickadees congregate in flocks within damp evergreen forests along the Pacific Coast, frequently visiting backyard feeders.
These delightful creatures are primarily found in coniferous forests, where their diet mainly consists of insects like caterpillars, spiders, wasps, and aphids. Additionally, they consume seeds, berries, and fruits.
It is worth noting that Chestnut-backed Chickadees construct their nests in hollowed-out decayed wood, either created by their own beaks or repurposed from abandoned woodpecker nests. The nest is lined with moss and bark, followed by softer materials like fur and grass. They lay up to eleven eggs, which hatch within a fortnight, and the fledglings leave the nest after nearly three weeks.
To attract Chestnut-backed Chickadees to your yard, consider offering black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, peanuts, or mealworms through tube feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. These birds are also known to utilize nest boxes.
2. Mountain Chickadee
Mountain Chickadees are present year-round in California, with a higher frequency of sightings recorded from June to August. They feature in approximately 6% of summer checklists and 2% of winter checklists within the state.
These diminutive birds possess black-and-white heads, with their bodies cloaked in shades of gray, appearing darker on their backs and lighter underneath.
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli
Size: 4.3-5.5 inches (11-14 cm) in length
Weight: 0.4 ounces (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees permanently reside in mountainous regions west of the United States, avoiding migration but descending to lower elevations during the winter season.
Their preferred habitats include evergreen forests, particularly those adorned with pine and coniferous trees. Mountain Chickadees feast on insects, spiders, nuts, and seeds, and they frequently visit backyard feeders. These resourceful birds often stash away food for future consumption, creating a personal food reserve.
Mountain Chickadees typically establish their nests within old cavities previously inhabited by woodpeckers and nuthatches. The female Chickadee lines the cavity with fur and even covers her eggs when she leaves. They lay up to nine eggs, which incubate for approximately two weeks, followed by an additional three weeks until the fledglings venture out of the nest.
To entice Mountain Chickadees to your yard, consider installing nest boxes. These birds readily visit various types of feeders, especially when supplied with black-oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, or peanut butter.
Fun fact: Mountain Chickadees’ eggs require 50% longer incubation periods compared to other Chickadee species. This is likely due to the added protection offered by their selected nesting sites within old woodpecker nests, as well as the female’s practice of covering the eggs when she temporarily leaves the nest.
3. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees are relatively uncommon in California, but they can be found year-round in the northern regions of the state, particularly in September.
These charming birds exhibit endearing round heads atop their diminutive bodies. They willingly visit backyard feeders and curiously investigate their surroundings, including human observers!
Black-capped Chickadees possess distinctive black caps, beaks, and throats, coupled with white cheeks. Their backs, wings, and tails display shades of gray, while their bellies appear lighter. They bear a striking resemblance to Carolina Chickadees.
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus
Size: 4.7-5.9 inches (12-15 cm) in length
Weight: 0.3-0.5 ounces (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 inches (16-21 cm)
Black-capped Chickadees do not partake in migrations, residing year-round in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
Their favored habitats encompass forests, open woodlands, and parks. Black-capped Chickadees sustain themselves with a diet comprising seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Black-capped Chickadee Call/Song:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Nests of Black-capped Chickadees are typically located within old woodpecker nests, although they may create their own cavities in decaying branches. Both male and female Chickadees contribute to nest construction, with the female lining it with moss and additional soft materials such as fur.
These resourceful birds lay clutches of up to thirteen eggs, which incubate for approximately two weeks. The hatchlings remain in the nest for an additional two weeks before venturing into the world.
To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, provide suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These friendly birds may even feed from your hand and are often among the first to discover new feeders. Nest boxes can also entice their interest, particularly when filled with wood shavings.
Fun fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains that annually eliminate old neurons, discarding outdated information while accommodating new neurons and acquiring fresh knowledge.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
To create an inviting environment for Chickadees in your backyard, consider the following tips:
– Supply feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
– Various types of feeders, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders, can accommodate Chickadees.
– Provide a water source, preferably a birdbath with running water.
– Plant berry-producing trees and shrubs to attract insects, a significant food source for Chickadees.
– Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects for sustenance.
– Offer shelter by planting trees and shrubs.
– Install a nest box with a small hole measuring 1 1/8 inches and position it 5-15 feet above ground.
– Keep cats indoors to ensure the safety of the birds.
– Exercise patience, as it may take time for 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. Their melodic song is characterized by a pleasant “fee bee” sound.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– Produced exclusively by males
– The first note carries a higher pitch compared to the second
– Males distance themselves from one another while singing
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
– Produced by both males and females
– Females utilize this call to summon the male for feeding while she incubates the eggs
– Used in communication between parents and offspring
3. Chick-a-dee call
– A mild alarm call
– Serves as a contact call within flocks
– Facilitates coordinated movements within flocks
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
– Consists of a series of two to nine short notes
– Employed when birds come too close to one another within flocks or near feeders
– Acts as a warning call, encouraging the recipient to retreat
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young Chickadees emit bee-like calls to elicit feeding from their parents
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– An alarm call produced when predators are in the vicinity
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
How Frequently Chickadees are Spotted in California in Summer and Winter
To determine the frequency of Chickadee sightings in California during the summer and winter seasons, checklists provide valuable insights. These lists compile data from ebird, capturing the most commonly recorded Chickadees in the state.
Chickadees in California in Summer:
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 13.9%
– Mountain Chickadee: 6.7%
– Black-capped Chickadee: 0.5%
Chickadees in California in Winter:
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 11.0%
– Mountain Chickadee: 2.0%
– Black-capped Chickadee: 0.6%