Discover the multitude of Chickadee species found in Nevada through the aid of this comprehensive manual, brimming with photo identifications, descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their melodious tunes, intriguing tidbits, and much more.
Chickadees, those industrious and agile songbirds, flit about in search of insects, readily frequenting backyard feeders. Belonging to the esteemed Poecile family, these feathered wonders encompass a mere seven species, all of which call North America their home.
Nevada unveils a triumvirate of Chickadee species awaiting discovery: Mountain Chickadees and Black-capped Chickadees.
Although Chickadees do not engage in migration, they may journey to lower terrains during the winter months. Studies have unveiled their remarkable adaptation techniques to endure the harsh winter cold. Chickadees have been observed caching food, nesting in cavities, and entering a regulated nocturnal hypothermia to conserve precious energy.
Driven by their elevated body temperature, Chickadees boast an insatiable appetite, voraciously devouring an amount of sustenance equivalent to their own body weight each day!
Regrettably, Chickadees tend to live relatively short lives, typically lasting a mere two or three years. Adult Chickadees, confined to a single breeding season, may even find their existence cut short after a solitary year. However, exceptional cases have documented Chickadees persevering for an astonishing twelve years.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees proves arduous, as their appearance remains strikingly similar. However, the resounding “Fee-bee” song echoes solely from the male Chickadees, differentiating them from their female counterparts.
Insects and seeds compose the dietary preferences of Chickadees, frequently leading them to backyard feeders in search of nourishing seeds or suet. Sate your curiosity regarding the array of avian visitors regularly gracing Nevada by procuring a complimentary identification chart.
Within this guide lies a wealth of information, derived from avibase and curated through data submitted by diligent bird watchers on ebird. Unlock the knowledge that unveils the exact periods these avian wonders reveal themselves within Nevada’s borders.
Behold, Nevada unveils two striking Chickadee types for your admiration:
1. Mountain Chickadee
Within Nevada’s borders, Mountain Chickadees can be spotted throughout the year, particularly from June to October. They make appearances on 11% of summer checklists and 9% of winter checklists submitted by avid bird watchers within the state.
Sporting black-and-white heads and gray plumage across their bodies, with a darker hue along their backs and light gray underbellies, Mountain Chickadees captivate with their diminutive stature.
Scientific name: Poecile gambeli
Length: 4.3-5.5 inches (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4 ounces (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees reside year-round in the mountains of western United States, eschewing migration. However, they may venture to lower altitudes during winter months.
Discover Mountain Chickadees amidst evergreen forests, particularly those adorned with pine and coniferous trees. Their diet encompasses insects, spiders, nuts, and seeds, prompting frequent visits to backyard feeders. Notably, Mountain Chickadees diligently store food for future consumption, amassing a stockpile of sustenance.
Credit: Richard E. Webster, XC619853. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/619853.
Mountain Chickadees commonly nest within aged woodpecker or nuthatch nesting holes. Females line these cavities with fur and diligently cover their eggs upon departure. Clutches of up to nine eggs are laid, requiring approximately two weeks to hatch, followed by an additional three weeks until the fledglings abandon the nest.
Encourage Mountain Chickadees to grace your yard by erecting nest boxes, enticing their visitation through the provision of black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, and peanut butter.
Fascinating Fact: Mountain Chickadee eggs undergo an incubation period 50% longer than those of other Chickadee species. This prolonged duration can be attributed to the protective properties of the abandoned woodpecker nests and the female’s diligent egg-covering routine.
2. Black-capped Chickadee
While not particularly common in Nevada, Black-capped Chickadees have occasionally been sighted in the northeastern region of the state.
These endearing avian creatures exhibit round heads and petite bodies, their charm undeniable. Fearlessly exploring their surroundings, Black-capped Chickadees eagerly partake in feasting at backyard feeders, often even investigating the presence of humans.
Adorned with black caps, beaks, and throats, alongside white cheeks, they display gray plumage on their backs, wings, and tails, with lighter bellies. Their appearance bears a striking 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 eschew migration, favoring the northern halves of the United States and Canada for their abode.
Discover these delightful creatures amidst forests, open woodlands, and parks. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Black-capped Chickadee Call/Song:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
When establishing nests, Black-capped Chickadees typically repurpose aged woodpecker nests. However, they may also fashion their own cavities within decayed branches. Both males and females partake in constructing the nest, with the female meticulously lining it using moss and other soft materials like fur.
Clutches consisting of up to thirteen eggs are laid, requiring approximately two weeks of incubation, followed by an additional two weeks until the young depart from the nest.
Invite Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard by providing suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These amiable creatures may even feed from your hand and are often among the first birds to discover newly installed feeders. They readily utilize nest boxes, particularly when furnished with wood shavings.
Fascinating Fact: The brains of Black-capped Chickadees possess a remarkable ability to shed unnecessary information by allowing old brain neurons to perish annually. This process allows for the acquisition of fresh neurons and information.
Enchant Chickadees into Your Backyard
Witness the delightful spectacle of Chickadees scurrying about in pursuit of sustenance. If you yearn for an increased presence of these charming avian wonders within your yard, take heed of the following suggestions:
1. Provide feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Embrace various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
3. Establish a water source, preferably a birdbath equipped with running water.
4. Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs, attracting insects as an additional allure.
5. Refrain from utilizing pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects for sustenance.
6. Foster a sheltered environment through the presence of trees and shrubs.
7. Install nest boxes equipped with small 1 1/8-inch entrances, positioned 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
8. Ensure the safety of Chickadees by keeping domestic felines indoors.
9. Exercise patience, as it may take some time for birds to locate your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Renowned for their signature “chick-a-dee” call, Chickadees emit this melodious utterance as a mild alarm or contact call, while their song manifests as a captivating “fee bee” sound.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
This vocalization emanates exclusively from males.
The initial note exhibits a higher pitch compared to the second.
Male Chickadees distance themselves from one another when engaging in song.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
Both males and females emit this call.
Females employ it to beckon males for feeding while they incubate.
This vocalization serves as a means of communication between parents and young.
3. Chick-a-dee call
A mild alarm call.
Contact calls employed within flocks to coordinate movement.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
Comprising a series of two to nine short notes.
Used to maintain distance from other birds, be it within flocks or at feeding stations.
This warning call serves as a precursor to potential confrontations, urging the recipient to retreat.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
Young Chickadees employ this bee-like call to entice their parents to feed them.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
An alarm call alerting the presence of predators.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Chickadee Sightings in Nevada during Summer and Winter
Consulting checklists proves invaluable for gauging the prevalence of bird species within your state. The following percentages depict the frequency of Chickadee sightings on ebird checklists during Nevada’s summer and winter seasons:
Chickadees in Nevada during Summer:
Mountain Chickadee: 11.4%
Black-capped Chickadee: 0.1%
Chickadees in Nevada during Winter:
Mountain Chickadee: 9.2%
Black-capped Chickadee: <0.1%