Discover the comprehensive handbook to identify all the varieties of Chickadees residing in New Hampshire. This guide includes vivid photo IDs and descriptive narratives, accompanied by delightful audio recordings of their melodious tunes and intriguing trivia, among other valuable information.
Chickadees, those bustling, melodious avian creatures, flit about energetically in search of insects, readily visiting backyard feeders. Belonging to the esteemed Poecile family, these charming songbirds comprise only seven distinct species, all of which inhabit the diverse landscapes of North America.
Within the confines of New Hampshire, two particular types of Chickadees can be observed: the Black-capped Chickadees and the Boreal Chickadees.
While Chickadees do not embark on migratory journeys, they may venture to lower altitudes during the winter season. Fascinating studies have revealed their remarkable survival strategies, which involve caching food, seeking shelter in cavities, and entering a state of regulated nocturnal hypothermia to conserve energy.
Owing to their elevated body temperature, Chickadees possess insatiable appetites, devouring a quantity of food equivalent to their own body weight each day!
Regrettably, the lifespan of these delightful creatures tends to be rather short. Typically, they endure for a mere two to three years, with some instances recorded of individuals surviving up to twelve years.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees can pose a challenge, as their physical appearances are virtually indistinguishable. However, it is only the males who possess the ability to emit the loud and distinctive “Fee-bee” song.
Chickadees sustain themselves on a diet of insects and seeds, frequently congregating around backyard feeders in search of nourishing seeds or delectable suet. You can also explore the diverse array of backyard birds that frequently grace New Hampshire and acquire a complimentary identification chart.
This invaluable guide serves as a reliable aid in recognizing the various types of Chickadees present in New Hampshire, meticulously curated based on data sourced from the avibase and observations contributed by avid birdwatchers on ebird.
2 Varieties of Chickadees in New Hampshire:
1. Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee, a highly prevalent species, remains a year-round resident of New Hampshire. According to reports submitted by birdwatchers, they are documented in 48% of summer checklists and 61% of winter checklists.
Sporting endearingly round heads and diminutive bodies, Black-capped Chickadees capture hearts with their charismatic presence. They gleefully explore their surroundings, fearlessly investigating everything, even human observers!
These delightful birds boast black caps, beaks, and throats, with white cheeks, and exhibit shades of gray on their backs, wings, and tails. Their bellies showcase a lighter hue, and they bear a striking resemblance to Carolina Chickadees.
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 undertake migratory journeys, making appearances in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
These charming creatures can be found in forests, open woodlands, and parks. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Black-capped Chickadee Call/Song:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
When it comes to nesting, Black-capped Chickadees typically repurpose abandoned woodpecker
nests. Alternatively, they may construct their own cavities within decaying branches. Both males and females partake in nest-building duties, with the female lining the nest using moss and other soft materials, such as fur.
These diligent birds can lay a sizable clutch of up to thirteen eggs, requiring approximately two weeks for incubation and an additional two weeks for the fledglings to leave the nest.
To entice Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, provide suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. They may even exhibit the charming behavior of feeding directly from your hand, often being among the first birds to discover new feeders. Additionally, consider installing nest boxes, filling them with wood shavings, as Chickadees readily utilize such accommodations.
Fun fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains capable of shedding obsolete information by eliminating old neurons each year, thereby making space for new neurons and knowledge.
2. Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Chickadees are relatively uncommon in the confines of New Hampshire. Nevertheless, they have been observed in the region throughout the year, particularly in the northern reaches of the state between June and December.
Sporting a modest grayish-brown plumage, these melodious songbirds exhibit a dark brown cap, a small black bib, cinnamon-colored sides, and white undersides and cheeks.
Poecile hudsonicus
Length: 4.9-5.5 in (12.5-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (7-12.4 g)
Boreal Chickadees primarily reside in Canada and Alaska, occasionally venturing into the northern regions of the United States.
One is likely to find Boreal Chickadees predominantly in coniferous forests, often near bodies of water. However, they can also be encountered in deciduous or mixed forests. Feeding primarily in the upper canopy, these birds sustain themselves on seeds and insects. They readily visit feeders.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Nest construction for Boreal Chickadees typically involves exploiting deceased trees, wherein the female creates the cavity. The nest cavity is lined with moss and bark, followed by the addition of softer materials like hair and feathers. The incubation period lasts slightly over two weeks, resulting in the hatching of up to nine eggs.
To attract Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms via various feeder types. Erecting a nesting box can also entice a mating pair to establish residence.
Fun Fact: Boreal Chickadees possess the remarkable ability to store seeds and insects, ensuring their sustenance during the long and harsh winter months.
Luring Chickadees to Your Backyard
Watching Chickadees in action is an absolute delight, as they incessantly scurry about, diligently seeking nourishment. If you yearn to observe more of these adorable avian creatures in your yard, it’s crucial to create an enticing environment.
Consider the following tips to attract Chickadees:
– Provision feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
– Utilize a variety of feeder types, such as tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
– Provide a water source, preferably a birdbath with a running water feature.
– Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs, which attract insects, an essential component of Chickadee diets.
– Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as a food source.
– Create shelter by planting trees and shrubs, ensuringample coverage.
– Install a nest box featuring a small 1 1/8-inch hole, positioned at a height ranging from 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
– Keep cats indoors to protect the avian visitors.
– 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 song, on the other hand, emits a pleasing “fee bee” sound.
Various Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– This call is produced by males.
– The initial note carries a higher pitch compared to the second.
– Males tend to distance themselves from other males when singing.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
– This call is produced by both males and females.
– Females utilize it to summon the male for feeding assistance while incubating.
– It serves as a means of communication between parents and their young.
3. Chick-a-dee call
– This call serves as a mild alarm and contact call.
– It aids in coordinating movements within flocks.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
– This call comprises a series of two to nine short notes.
– It is employed when birds encroach too closely upon one another in flocks or near feeders.
– It serves as a warning before a Chickadee may resort to aggression, compelling the intruder to retreat.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young Chickadees employ bee-like calls to elicit feeding from their parents.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– This serves as an alarm call in the presence of predators.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in New Hampshire During Summer and Winter
Checklists are invaluable resources for discerning which bird species commonly inhabit your region. By examining checklists on ebird, one can ascertain the prevalence of Chickadee sightings in New Hampshire during summer and winter.
Chickadees in New Hampshire during Summer:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 48.4%
– Boreal Chickadee: 1.4%
Chickadees in New Hampshire during Winter:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 61.3%
– Boreal Chickadee: 0.4%