Embark on a journey through this comprehensive handbook designed to assist you in recognizing the various Chickadee species that grace the landscapes of Idaho. With vivid photo identifications, enchanting descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their melodies, and intriguing facts, this guide is a treasure trove of avian knowledge.
Chickadees, these lively and nimble songbirds, tirelessly flit about in search of insects, making frequent visits to backyard feeders. Belonging to the esteemed Poecile family, they are an exclusive group of avian wonders, with only seven Chickadee species in existence, all thriving within the realms of North America.
Within the borders of Idaho, four distinctive Chickadee species can be observed. The Black-capped Chickadee and Mountain Chickadee proudly showcase their presence throughout the year, while the Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Boreal Chickadee occasionally grace the Idahoan landscapes.
While Chickadees are not known for their migratory endeavors, they may seek refuge in lower altitudes during the winter months. To brave the chilly embrace of winter, these resilient creatures exhibit remarkable survival strategies. Scientific studies have demonstrated their ability to store food, seek shelter in cozy cavities, and induce regulated nocturnal hypothermia as an energy-saving measure.
Due to their high body temperature and constant activity, Chickadees possess an insatiable appetite, devouring food equivalent to their own body weight every single day!
In terms of lifespan, Chickadees are not blessed with long journeys through time. Typically, they grace our world for a mere two to three years, with some fortunate individuals reaching the age of twelve. Their adulthood encompasses just a single year, providing a narrow window for breeding. Interestingly, the male Chickadees possess the exclusive privilege of serenading us with their melodious ‘Fee Bee’ song.
Feasting on insects and seeds, Chickadees frequently flock to backyard feeders, eagerly indulging in seeds or suet. Explore the diverse array of avian visitors that regularly grace Idaho’s backyards and acquire a complimentary identification chart.
This guide draws information from reliable sources such as avibase and leverages data gathered by passionate birdwatchers on ebird to provide accurate insights into the optimal spotting periods for each Chickadee species in Idaho.
4 Varieties of Idaho’s Chickadees:
1. The Black-capped Chickadee
Enchanting us with its presence all year round, the Black-capped Chickadee has become an Idahoan resident. Their unwavering loyalty is reflected in the 17% occurrence rate during summer checklists and the 26% frequency in winter checklists submitted by avid birdwatchers.
Sporting endearing round heads atop tiny bodies, Black-capped Chickadees effortlessly captivate our hearts. With black caps, beaks, and throats, accompanied by white cheeks, they exhibit a striking gray hue on their backs, wings, and tails. Their bellies boast a lighter shade. Notably, their resemblance to Carolina Chickadees is remarkable.
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus
Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)
Black-capped Chickadees do not engage in migratory journeys, and their habitats span the northern regions of the United States and Canada. Forests, open woods, and parks serve as their preferred domains. These delightful creatures feast upon seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Listen to the captivating call and song
of the Black-capped Chickadee:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
When it comes to nesting, Black-capped Chickadees predominantly seek old woodpecker nests, but they also create their own cavities in decaying branches. Both males and females actively participate in constructing the nest, with the female meticulously lining it with moss and other soft materials such as fur.
Impressively, they lay a substantial clutch of up to thirteen eggs, which take approximately two weeks to hatch. Once hatched, the young require an additional two weeks before they are prepared to venture out of the nest.
To attract these charismatic Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, offer them a delectable spread of suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. Incredibly sociable, they may even indulge in a feast from the palm of your hand, often being among the first to discover new feeders. Nest boxes filled with wood shavings are also well-received by these avian gems.
A fascinating tidbit: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brain plasticity. Each year, they shed old neurons, discarding obsolete information, making room for fresh neurons and acquiring new knowledge.
2. The Mountain Chickadee
Idaho’s enchanting landscapes bear witness to the year-round presence of Mountain Chickadees, boasting an 8% appearance rate on both summer and winter checklists in the state.
These diminutive avian wonders exhibit black-and-white heads, harmonizing seamlessly with their gray bodies, darker on their backs and lighter underneath.
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli
Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4 oz (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees claim the mountainous regions of the western United States as their permanent dwelling grounds, abstaining from migratory pursuits. However, during winter, they may journey to lower elevations within the mountains.
Evergreen forests, particularly those adorned with pine and conifers, serve as their cherished abodes. Their diet consists of insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, and a penchant for visiting backyard feeders. Mountain Chickadees demonstrate impressive food-storing habits, ensuring a reliable supply during lean times.
Listen to the melodious call of the Mountain Chickadee:
Credit: Richard E. Webster, XC619853. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/619853.
When it comes to nesting, Mountain Chickadees prefer the abandoned nesting holes of woodpeckers and nuthatches. The resourceful female adorns the cavity with fur and dutifully covers her eggs when she departs. Approximately nine eggs are laid, requiring two weeks of incubation before the young take flight after three weeks.
To entice the Mountain Chickadees into your yard, consider providing them with nest boxes. They eagerly visit various types of feeders, relishing black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, and peanut butter.
An intriguing revelation: The incubation period for Mountain Chickadee eggs is 50% longer than that of other Chickadee species. This is likely due to the protective properties afforded by their chosen nesting sites, coupled with the female’s attentive coverage of the eggs upon departure.
3. The Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Throughout the year, Chestnut-backed Chickadees grace the territories of Idaho, predominantly in the northern and western regions of the state. Their presence accounts for 2% of both summer and winter checklists.
Featuring black caps and throats, adorned with white cheeks, Chestnut-backed Chickadees sport rich chestnut hues on their backs and sides, with gray wings and bellies. However, in California, their sides bear a captivating gray shade.
Scientific Name: Poecile rufescens
Length: 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (7-12 g)
Wingspan: 7.5 in (19 cm)
Chestnut-backed Chickadees form flocks and thrive in wet evergreen forests along the Pacific Coast, frequently paying visits to backyard feeders. Their preferred habitats encompass conifer forests. A diverse diet encompasses insects like caterpillars, spiders, wasps, aphids, complemented by seeds, berries, and fruit.
Listen to the enchanting call of the Chestnut-backed Chickadee:
Credit: Simon Elliott, XC597659. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/597659.
When it comes to nesting, Chestnut-backed Chickadees exhibit resourcefulness. They utilize holes in decaying wood, either fashioned by their own efforts or inherited from woodpeckers. These cavities are meticulously lined with moss, bark, and other soft materials like fur and grass. Up to eleven eggs are laid, with an incubation period of around two weeks, followed by nearly three weeks before the young venture out of the nest.
To beckon Chestnut-backed Chickadees to your yard, offer them a delectable feast of black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, peanuts, or mealworms in tube feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. Nest boxes are also warmly embraced by these charming avian visitors.
4. The Boreal Chickadee
While not as commonly encountered in Idaho, the Boreal Chickadee occasionally graces the northern regions of the state from June to September, primarily during the summer season.
Delight in the presence of these diminutive grayish-brown songbirds, showcasing a dark brown cap, a small black bib, cinnamon-colored sides, and a pristine white underside with cheeks.
Scientific Name: Poecile hudsonicus
Length: 4.9-5.5 in (12.5-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (7-12.4 g)
The Boreal Chickadee claims Canada and Alaska as its primary territories, occasionally making appearances in northern states of the United States. Coniferous forests predominantly serve as their habitats, often in proximity to bodies of water. Boreal Chickadees display a fondness for seeds and insects found in the upper regions of the forest canopy, eagerly venturing to backyard feeders.
Listen to the captivating call of the Boreal Chickadee:
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Nesting preferences for Boreal Chickadees typically involve dead trees, with the female skillfully creating the nesting hole. Lining the cavity with moss, bark, and further soft materials like hair and feathers, they ensure a cozy abode for their offspring. The incubation period spans just over two weeks, leading to the emergence of their young.
To allure the Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, present them with a delectable array of black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms. Accommodating various feeder types is ideal, and don’t forget to provide a nesting box to attract potential mates.
An intriguing fact: Boreal Chickadees diligently store seeds and insects, building a vital reserve for the arduous winter months.
Inviting Chickadees to Your Backyard Haven
Observing the delightful antics of Chickadees as they hurriedly gather sustenance is a true delight. If you desire more frequent visits from these endearing avian wonders, consider implementing the following strategies to entice them to your yard:
1. Offer a generous supply of black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Choose feeders suitable for their feeding habits, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
3. Provide a water source, such as a birdbath, preferably with gently flowing water.
4. Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs, which attract insects and provide additional sustenance.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as a vital food source.
6. Create shelter by incorporating trees and shrubs within your yard.
7. Install a nest box with a small hole measuring approximately 1 1/8 inches, positioned 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
8. Ensure the safety of these delightful creatures by keeping cats indoors.
9. Patience is key, as it may take some time for the birds to discover your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees possess a repertoire of enchanting sounds, captivating us with their melodic symphony. The famous ‘chick a dee’ call, often mistaken for their namesake, is actually a mild alarm call or contact call. Meanwhile, their song resonates as a delightful ‘fee bee’ sound.
Listen to the captivating sounds produced by Chickadees:
1. Fee-bee:
This melodic tune is exclusively sung by the male Chickadees. Notably, the first note carries a higher pitch compared to the second. Males tend to distance themselves from other males while singing.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee:
Both males and females produce this call, often utilized by females to beckon males for food while they are incubating eggs. It also serves as a communication tool between parents and their young.
3. Chick-a-dee call:
This mild alarm call serves as a form of contact within flocks. It aids in coordinating movements and serves as a socializing mechanism within Chickadee communities.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle:
Characterized by a series of two to nine short notes, this call warns other birds to maintain distance, especially when they encroach upon personal space at feeders. It acts as a precursor to potential confrontations, compelling others to retreat.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call:
Young Chickadees employ this endearing ‘bee’ call to entice their parents into providing nourishment.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call:
This alarm call is emitted in the presence of predators, signaling a potential threat in the vicinity.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequent Chickadee Sightings in Idaho during Summer and Winter
Delve into the fascinating realm of checklists, serving as invaluable resources to identify commonly spotted avian species in your state. The following figures highlight the prevalence of each Chickadee species on ebird checklists during summer and winter in Idaho:
Chickadees in Idaho during Summer:
Black-capped Chickadee: 17.7%
Mountain Chickadee: 7.6%
Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 2.2%
Boreal Chickadee: 0.1%
Chickadees in Idaho during Winter:
Black-capped Chickadee: 26.7%
Mountain Chickadee: 8.2%
Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 2.9%
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Idaho’s Chickadee species, discovering their unique characteristics, observing their behaviors, and cherishing their melodious songs. May this guide serve as your gateway to a deeper appreciation of these delightful songbirds that grace the landscapes of Idaho.