Discovering the various species of Chickadees that can be observed in Ontario becomes an effortless endeavor with this comprehensive manual. Packed with captivating photographs, detailed descriptions, enchanting audio recordings of their melodious tunes, intriguing facts, and much more.
These dainty songbirds, known as Chickadees, flutter about tirelessly in search of insects and frequently grace backyard feeders with their presence. Belonging to the esteemed avian Poecile family, these delightful creatures consist of merely seven distinct species, all exclusively dwelling in the expansive realms of North America.
Within Ontario, a province in Canada, one can encounter three distinct types of Chickadees. The most prevalent among them is the Black-capped Chickadee, while the Boreal Chickadee, although less common, makes regular appearances. On the other hand, the Carolina Chickadee proves to be a rare visitor, making infrequent appearances.
Unlike their migratory counterparts, Chickadees opt to remain in their habitats throughout the year, albeit venturing to lower altitudes during the winter season. Fascinating scientific research indicates that these remarkable creatures employ various strategies, such as food hoarding, nesting in cavities, and regulated nocturnal hypothermia, to conserve energy and endure the chilling winter months.
Due to their naturally elevated body temperatures, Chickadees exhibit an insatiable appetite, requiring sustenance equal to their own body weight every single day!
Regrettably, the lifespan of Chickadees tends to be rather short, typically spanning a mere two or three years. In some instances, an individual Chickadee may only experience a solitary year as an adult, undergoing just one breeding season. However, exceptional cases have been documented wherein Chickadees have lived up to twelve years, defying the odds.
Discerning between male and female Chickadees poses a challenge, as they possess virtually identical appearances. The sole distinguishing feature lies in the fact that only males engage in producing the resounding ‘Fee-bee’ melody.
Moreover, Black-capped Chickadees and Carolina Chickadees bear a striking resemblance, with the former exhibiting more prominent white markings on their wings and producing a two-note song in contrast to the four-note melody characteristic of the latter.
Chickadees sustain themselves by consuming a diet consisting of insects and seeds, often flocking to backyard feeders in search of nourishing seeds or delectable suet. It is highly recommended to explore the array of other avian species that frequently grace the landscapes of Ontario and obtain a complimentary identification chart.
This invaluable guide serves as an indispensable resource for identifying the distinct types of Chickadees spotted in Ontario. It draws information from reputable sources such as Avibase and utilizes data meticulously collected by devoted birdwatchers on ebird, offering authentic insights into the optimal periods to catch a glimpse of these splendid birds.
3 Varieties of Chickadees Present in Ontario:
1. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees reside in Ontario year-round, abstaining from migratory ventures. They feature in approximately 37% of checklists during the summer and 54% during the winter seasons.
Exuding an irresistible charm, Black-capped Chickadees possess endearing round heads atop their petite frames. These captivating birds display a penchant for frequenting backyard feeders and inquisitively investigating everything, including human observers!
They boast black caps, beaks, and throats, complemented by white cheeks, while their backs, wings, and tails sport shades of gray. Their bellies assume lighter hues. Black-capped Chickadees bear a striking resemblance to Carolina Chickadees.
Poecile atricapillus
Length: 4.7-5.9 in (12-15cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)
Black-capped Chickadees abstain from migration and can be encountered in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
Forested areas, open woodlands, and parks serve as favored habitats for Black-capped Chickadees. Their diet consists of an assortment of seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Call/Song of the Black-capped Chickadee:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Black-capped Chickadees typically construct their nests within abandoned woodpecker cavities. Alternatively, they might create their own cavities within decaying branches. Both male and female Chickadees contribute to the nest-building process, with the female lining it using moss and subsequently incorporating softer materials like fur.
Clutches laid by Black-capped Chickadees can be remarkably large, encompassing up to thirteen eggs. The incubation period lasts for approximately two weeks, followed by an additional two weeks before the younglings venture out of the nest.
To entice Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, provide suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These delightful birds might even partake of food directly from your hand, often becoming one of the earliest visitors to newly discovered feeders. Nest boxes prove to be highly appealing to them, particularly if filled with wood shavings.
Fun fact: The brains of Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable adaptability, allowing them to shed outdated information each year by eliminating old brain neurons and replacing them with new ones.
2. Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Chickadees, though relatively uncommon in Ontario, can be observed within the region throughout the year.
Sporting hues of grayish-brown, these diminutive songbirds flaunt dark brown caps, small black bibs, cinnamon-toned 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 inhabit the realms of Canada and Alaska, occasionally venturing into the northern territories of the United States.
The preferred habitats of Boreal Chickadees primarily consist of coniferous forests, often in close proximity to bodies of water. However, they can also be found in deciduous or mixed forests. Their feeding habits revolve around extracting seeds and insects from the upper regions of the forest canopy, and they readily visit feeders.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Nests constructed by Boreal Chickadees are typically nestled within deceased trees, with the female taking charge of cavity creation. Moss and bark are employed to line the cavity, subsequently accompanied by softer materials like hair and feathers. The incubation period spans just over two weeks, resulting in the hatching of approximately nine eggs.
To entice Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, ensure the provision of black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms, as these delicacies prove irresistible to them. Erecting a nesting box will also attract mating pairs.
Fun fact: Boreal Chickadees exhibit remarkable foresight by stockpiling seeds and insects in preparation for the harsh and protracted winter season.
3. Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Chickadees are considered rare or accidental guests in Ontario. However, they
were spotted around Point Pelee National Park in 2013.
Featuring petite frames and prominent heads, Carolina Chickadees display black caps and throats, white cheeks and bellies, and soft gray backs, wings, and tails.
Closely resembling their Black-capped counterparts, Carolina Chickadees occasionally interbreed with them when their territories overlap. However, such overlapping ranges remain limited. Distinctions can be made by noting that Black-capped Chickadees exhibit more prominent white markings on their wings in comparison to Carolina Chickadees.
Poecile carolinensis
Length: 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)
Wingspan: 5.9-7.9 in (15-20 cm)
Carolina Chickadees reside in the eastern and southeastern states of the United States throughout the year.
Forested areas, parks, and backyards serve as favored habitats for Carolina Chickadees. During the summer, their diet predominantly consists of insects and spiders, while approximately half of their winter diet comprises plant material.
Carolina Chickadee Song:
Credit: Brian Hendrix, XC572217. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/572217.
Carolina Chickadees typically establish nests within self-made cavities or repurpose those originally created by other species or naturally occurring cavities. The cavity is lined with moss and supplemented with softer materials like hair. Clutches comprise up to ten eggs, requiring around two weeks for incubation and an additional two to three weeks for the fledglings to leave the nest.
To attract Carolina Chickadees to your backyard feeders, offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet feeders, or peanuts. They readily utilize various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, and platform feeders. Nest boxes and nest tubes also serve as enticing options for them.
Attracting Chickadees to Your Backyard
Observing Chickadees and relishing their relentless pursuit of sustenance proves to be an absolute delight. To enhance the chances of encountering these endearing avian creatures, follow these steps to attract them to your yard:
1. Provide feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Choose from a variety of feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
3. Establish a water source, preferably a birdbath with running water.
4. Cultivate berry-producing trees and shrubs that entice insects, a preferred food source for Chickadees.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as part of their diet.
6. Create sheltered spaces through the strategic planting of trees and shrubs.
7. Install a nest box featuring a small 1 1/8-inch hole, raised 5 to 15 feet above ground.
8. Keep cats indoors to ensure the safety of visiting birds.
9. Exercise patience, as it may take time for birds to discover your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Melodies and Vocalizations
Chickadees have gained renown for their distinctive call, often referred to as the “chick a dee” call. Interestingly, this call serves as a mild alarm or contact call, while their true song resembles the sound “fee bee.”
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
Produced exclusively by males.
The first note possesses a higher pitch compared to the second.
Males tend to distance themselves from other males while singing.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
Emanates from both males and females.
Females employ this call to summon males for feeding while they incubate.
Utilized in communication between parents and offspring.
3. Chick-a-dee call
Mild alarm call.
Contact call within flocks.
Coordinates movements within flocks.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
Comprises a series of two to nine short notes.
Used when birds come into close proximity in flocks or at feeders.
Functions as a warning call to encourage other Chickadees to retreat.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
Young Chickadees emit bee-like calls to solicit food from their parents.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
Serves as an alarm call when predators are nearby.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in Ontario during Summer and Winter
Checklists provide valuable insights into the frequency of bird sightings within a particular region. These records highlight the prevalence of Chickadees on ebird checklists in Ontario during both summer and winter.
Chickadees in Ontario during Summer:
Black-capped Chickadee: 37.2%
Boreal Chickadee: 0.2%
Carolina Chickadee: <0.1%
Chickadees in Ontario during Winter:
Black-capped Chickadee: 54.2%
Boreal Chickadee: 0.3%