Discovering the myriad species of Chickadees inhabiting New York becomes an effortless task with this comprehensive manual. Through the aid of photo identifications, accompanied by vivid descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their melodic songs, and intriguing trivia, you will gain an abundance of knowledge.
Chickadees, those bustling avian minstrels, nimbly flit about in search of insects, readily drawn to the sanctuary of backyard feeders. Belonging to the esteemed Poecile avian family, these charming creatures compose a mere seven species of Chickadees, all exclusively dwelling within the confines of North America.
Two distinct Chickadee variants grace the New York landscape: the Black-capped Chickadees and the Boreal Chickadees.
While these Chickadees remain rooted in their habitat and refrain from migrating, they may venture to lower ground during the winter months. Remarkably, studies indicate that to conserve energy during the frigid winter period, Chickadees adopt various strategies, including food caching, nesting in cavities, and regulated nocturnal hypothermia.
Due to their elevated body temperature and insatiable appetite, Chickadees consume a staggering amount of food daily, equating to their entire body weight!
Alas, the lifespan of Chickadees is comparatively brief, with a meager span of two to three years. In some cases, these birds endure a mere year as adults, experiencing only a single breeding season. However, there have been rare instances of Chickadees surpassing a decade of existence.
Distinguishing male and female Chickadees presents a challenge, for they exhibit striking visual similarities. However, it is solely the male counterparts who perform the resounding “Fee-bee” song.
Chickadees derive sustenance from insects and seeds, often flocking to backyard feeders in pursuit of seeds or suet. For further enlightenment, explore the realm of other avian species regularly visiting New York, and revel in the provision of a complimentary identification chart.
The present guide serves as an indispensable aid in identifying the Chickadee varieties encountered in New York, utilizing data procured from avibase and leveraging the invaluable insights contributed by vigilant birdwatchers on ebird.
Two Notable Chickadee Varieties in New York:
1. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees, widely prevalent, grace New York’s landscape throughout the year. A remarkable 33% of summer checklists and 42% of winter checklists, submitted by devoted birdwatchers within the state, include sightings of these delightful avians.
Endowed with adorably round heads and petite physiques, Black-capped Chickadees exude an undeniable charm. Fearlessly inspecting every nook and cranny, including human observers, these birds readily partake in backyard feeder banquets.
Featuring black caps, beaks, and throats, accompanied by endearing white cheeks, their gray plumage adorns the back, wings, and tail. Their bellies boast a lighter hue, and 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 and reside predominantly in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
These affable birds can be found in forests, open woodlands, and parks, nourishing themselves on an eclectic diet of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Black-capped Chickadee Call/Song:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Black-capped Chickadees typically nest within abandoned woodpecker nests, although they may fashion their own cavities within decaying branches. Both males and females partake in nest construction, with the female meticulously lining it with moss and subsequently adding softer materials such as fur.
Impressively, they lay sizable clutches of up to thirteen eggs, which incubate for approximately two weeks before the fledglings venture forth from the nest after an additional two-week period.
Enticing Black-capped Chickadees to frequent your backyard proves a joyous endeavor through the provision of suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These charming creatures even exhibit the endearing behavior of feeding directly from one’s hand, often being among the first birds to discover new feeding stations. They enthusiastically utilize nest boxes, particularly when filled with wood shavings.
Fun Fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains that annually undergo a process of shedding old neurons, discarding outdated information, and acquiring new neurons to absorb fresh knowledge.
2. Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Chickadees, although less common in New York, do make appearances throughout the year, primarily in the northeastern reaches of the state.
Resplendent in their diminutive grayish-brown stature, Boreal Chickadees sport a distinguished dark brown cap, a modest black bib, cinnamon-toned sides, and white underbellies and cheeks.
Scientific Name: Poecile hudsonicus
Length: 4.9-5.5 inches (12.5-14 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (7-12.4 g)
Boreal Chickadees inhabit the expansive territories of Canada and Alaska, occasionally gracing the northern regions of the United States.
Coniferous forests predominantly serve as the favored abodes of Boreal Chickadees, often found in close proximity to water sources. However, these charismatic birds may also be encountered within deciduous or mixed forests. For sustenance, they ascend to the upper canopies, diligently foraging for seeds and insects, while readily paying visits to well-stocked feeders.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Boreal Chickadees tend to establish nests within deceased trees, with the female undertaking the arduous task of excavating the cavity. Moss and bark contribute to the cavity’s lining, which is then adorned with softer materials like hair and feathers. Clutches of up to nine eggs are laid, incubating for slightly over two weeks before the hatchlings emerge.
To entice Boreal Chickadees into your backyard, offer a delectable array of black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms, presented in a variety of feeder styles. Additionally, providing a nesting box with a 1 1/8-inch entrance, positioned 5 to 15 feet above ground level, aids in attracting a breeding pair.
Fun Fact: Boreal Chickadees diligently store seeds and insects in preparation for the long, arduous winter months.
Attracting Chickadees to Your Backyard
Witnessing the captivating frenzy of Chickadees as they scurry about in their quest for sustenance proves an unparalleled delight. To invite these enchanting avian companions into your yard, adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Supply feeders with an assortment of black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Offer various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders, accommodating the Chickadees’ feeding preferences.
3. Provide a water source, such as a birdbath, ideally featuring a gentle flow of running water.
4. Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs, attracting insects and nourishing the Chickadees.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as a vital component of their diet.
6. Foster a sheltered environment with the inclusion of trees and shrubs, offering protection and refuge.
7. Install nest boxes equipped with small 1 1/8-inch entrances, raised 5 to 15 feet above ground level, encouraging nesting behavior.
8. Keep cats confined indoors to ensure the safety of the avian visitors.
9. Exercise patience, as it may require some time for the birds to discover your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees have become renowned for their eponymous “chick a dee” call, which, in truth, serves as a mild alarm or contact call, while their actual song emanates as a delightful “fee bee” melody.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– Produced exclusively by males
– The initial note carries a higher pitch than the subsequent one
– Males maintain distance from one another when 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 beckon the male for feeding while she incubates
– Employed as a means of communication between parents and young
3. Chick-a-dee call
– Functions as 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
– Comprises a series of two to nine short notes
– Issued when birds intrude upon close proximity, either within flocks or near feeders
– Functions as a warning call, encouraging the targeted bird to withdraw to a safer distance
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young chickadees emit “bee” calls to elicit feeding responses from their parents
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– Serves as an alarm call when predators are in the vicinity
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in New York during Summer and Winter
Checklists serve as invaluable resources for gauging the prevalence of bird species within a given state. Based on data collected from ebird, the following figures depict the frequency of Chickadee sightings in summer and winter in New York:
Chickadees in New York during Summer:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 33.9%
– Boreal Chickadee: 0.1%
Chickadees in New York during Winter:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 42.4%
– Boreal Chickadee: <0.1%