In Oregon, you can discover a variety of Chickadee species through this comprehensive guide. It provides captivating photo IDs, detailed descriptions, enchanting audio recordings of their melodious songs, and intriguing fun facts, among other fascinating information.
Chickadees, those industrious little songbirds that gracefully flit around in search of insects, readily pay visits to backyard feeders. Belonging to the esteemed Poecile family of birds, these delightful creatures comprise only seven distinct species, all of which inhabit the vast expanse of North America.
Oregon, a haven for avian enthusiasts, is home to three remarkable types of Chickadees that grace its landscapes throughout the year. These charming species include the Black-capped Chickadee, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and the Mountain Chickadee.
While Chickadees are not migratory by nature, they may occasionally venture towards lower altitudes during the winter months. To combat the challenges posed by the cold winter season, studies have revealed that Chickadees employ various survival strategies, such as food caching, roosting in cavities, and entering a regulated state of nocturnal hypothermia to conserve precious energy.
Due to their high body temperature and incessant hunger, Chickadees possess an insatiable appetite, devouring an amount of food equivalent to their own weight every day!
Regrettably, the lifespan of Chickadees tends to be rather brief, typically spanning a mere two to three years. In fact, as adults, they often only experience a solitary breeding season. Nonetheless, extraordinary cases have been documented where Chickadees defied expectations, living up to an impressive twelve years.
Differentiating between male and female Chickadees can prove quite challenging, as they bear a striking resemblance to each other. Additionally, distinguishing the Black-capped Chickadee from the Carolina Chickadee can be a puzzling endeavor. While these two species exhibit similarities in appearance, the Black-capped Chickadee stands out with its wing displaying a greater amount of white and a distinct two-note song, unlike the Carolina Chickadee’s four-note melody.
Chickadees derive sustenance from a diet consisting of insects and seeds. They frequently grace backyard feeders in search of delectable seeds or suet. Discover other enchanting varieties of backyard birds that regularly visit Oregon and take advantage of a complimentary identification chart.
This comprehensive guide offers invaluable assistance in identifying the Chickadee species found in Oregon. It draws information from reputable sources like avibase and utilizes data collected by diligent bird watchers on ebird to provide accurate insights into the sightings of these splendid birds.
Oregon boasts three captivating types of Chickadees, each deserving of admiration:
1. Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee, a perennial resident of Oregon, can be spotted all year round. Bird watchers who diligently submit checklists report encountering this species in 21% of summer checklists and 33% of winter checklists across the state.
With their endearing round heads and diminutive bodies, Black-capped Chickadees exude an undeniable charm. These delightful creatures eagerly flock to backyard feeders, inquisitively exploring their surroundings, including curious onlookers like yourself!
Black-capped Chickadees possess distinct black caps, beaks, and throats, accentuated by their white cheeks. Their back, wings, and tail sport a shade of gray, while their bellies bear a lighter hue. Interestingly, they bear a strong 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 are non-migratory and can be found in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
You can encounter these delightful birds in forests, open woods, and parks. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Listen to the enchanting Call/Song of the Black-capped Chickadee:
Credit: XC554222 by Matt Wistrand, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Nests constructed by Black-capped Chickadees are typically found in old woodpecker nests, although they may create their own cavities within decaying branches. Both male and female Chickadees contribute to the nest-building process, with the female meticulously lining it with moss and other soft materials, such as fur.
A clutch of Black-capped Chickadee eggs can consist of up to thirteen precious orbs. These eggs require approximately two weeks to hatch, followed by an additional two weeks before the young birds muster the courage to leave the cozy nest.
Attract these delightful Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard by offering suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. They may even venture to feed from your hand, often being among the first to discover new feeding stations. Additionally, they show a fondness for nest boxes, especially when filled with wood shavings.
Fun fact: Black-capped Chickadees boast remarkable brains capable of shedding old information and replacing it with new neurons and knowledge by allowing old brain neurons to perish annually.
2. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee, a year-round inhabitant of Oregon, predominantly frequents the western and northeastern regions of the state. This delightful species appears on 9% of summer checklists and 12% of winter checklists submitted by bird enthusiasts.
With their petite frames adorned by black caps and throats, complemented by charming white cheeks, Chestnut-backed Chickadees exude a captivating allure. Their backs and sides are adorned with a rich chestnut hue, while their wings and bellies adopt shades of gray. In California, their sides feature a graceful 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 form flocks in wet evergreen forests along the Pacific Coast and frequently grace backyard feeders with their presence.
You can spot Chestnut-backed Chickadees primarily in conifer forests. Their diet primarily consists of insects like caterpillars, spiders, wasps, aphids, complemented by seeds, berries, and fruit.
Listen to the enchanting Call/Song of the Chestnut-backed Chickadee:
Credit: XC597659 by Simon Elliott, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/597659.
Nests constructed by Chestnut-backed Chickadees are usually situated within cavities in decaying wood, either created by the birds themselves or inherited from woodpeckers. These nests are meticulously lined with moss, bark, fur, and grass. The Chickadees lay up to eleven eggs, requiring approximately two weeks to hatch, followed by nearly three weeks before the young birds venture beyond the nest’s confines.
Entice the delightful Chestnut-backed Chickadees to your yard by offering black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, nyjer, peanuts, or mealworms in tube feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. They also appreciate the presence of nest boxes.
3. Mountain Chickadee
Mountain Chickadees are year-round residents of Oregon, particularly active from May to October. They make appearances on 6% of summer checklists and 3% of winter checklists.
These diminutive birds captivate with their black-and-white heads, gray bodies accentuated by darker hues on their backs, and light gray undersides.
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli
Length: 4.3-5.5 inches (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4 ounces (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees call the western mountains of the United States their home throughout the year, opting not to engage in migration. However, during winter, they may descend to lower elevations.
You can spot Mountain Chickadees in evergreen forests, particularly those abundant in pine and coniferous trees. Their diet primarily consists of insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, and they frequently pay visits to backyard feeders. Notably, Mountain Chickadees exhibit a propensity for storing food for later consumption, creating hidden caches.
Listen to the enchanting Call/Song of the Mountain Chickadee:
Credit: XC619853 by Richard E. Webster, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/619853.
Nests constructed by Mountain Chickadees are typically found in abandoned woodpecker or nuthatch nesting cavities. The female Chickadee lines the cavity with fur and diligently covers her eggs when she leaves the nest. Clutches may contain up to nine eggs, requiring approximately two weeks to hatch and an additional three weeks before the young birds take flight.
Invite Mountain Chickadees to your yard by providing nest boxes, and enthrall them with black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, and peanut butter, all of which they enthusiastically embrace.
Fun fact: Mountain Chickadee eggs undergo an extended incubation period, approximately 50% longer than other Chickadee species. This phenomenon is likely attributed to the protective environment afforded by the old woodpecker nests and the female Chickadee’s tendency to cover the eggs when leaving the nest.
Attract Chickadees To Your Backyard
To attract Chickadees to your backyard, consider implementing the following measures:
1. Offer a diverse array of nourishment, such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Install various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders, to accommodate their feeding preferences.
3. Provide a water source, preferably a birdbath with running water, to quench their thirst and facilitate bathing.
4. Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs that attract insects, serving as a natural food source.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as a vital part of their diet.
6. Create sheltered areas through the strategic placement of trees and shrubs.
7. Consider installing nest boxes with small 1 1/8-inch entry holes positioned 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
8. Keep cats indoors to ensure the safety of these delicate avian visitors.
9. Exercise patience, as it may take some time for the birds to discover your yard and feeding stations.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees are renowned for their melodious vocalizations, often referred to as the “chick a dee” call, which serves as a mild alarm or contact call. Their song, however, consists of a charming “fee bee” sound.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– Emitting from males
– The first note possesses a higher pitch than the second
– Males distance themselves from one another while singing
Credit: XC554222 by Matt Wistrand, accessed 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 for communication between parents and offspring
3. Chick-a-dee call
– A mild alarm call
– Contact calls within flocks
– Coordinate movements within flocks
Credit: XC420822 by GABRIEL LEITE, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
– Comprises a series of two to nine short notes
– Employed when birds come too close in flocks or at feeders
– Functions as a warning call, preceding a potential altercation to establish personal space
Credit: XC42956 by Todd Wilson, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young Chickadees emit bee-like calls to signal hunger, encouraging their parents to provide nourishment
Credit: XC36609 by Tayler Brooks, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– An alarm call in the presence of predators
Credit: XC35305 by Tayler Brooks, accessed at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in Oregon During Summer and Winter
Checklists serve as invaluable resources to gauge the prevalence of bird species within a specific region. Based on ebird checklists submitted by avid birders, the following percentages reflect the occurrence of various Chickadee species in Oregon during summer and winter:
Chickadees in Oregon during Summer:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 21.6%
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 9.7%
– Mountain Chickadee: 6.4%
Chickadees in Oregon during Winter:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 33.7%
– Chestnut-backed Chickadee: 12.0%
– Mountain Chickadee: 3.6%