In South Dakota, this comprehensive manual will assist you in identifying all the various species of Chickadees that can be observed. It includes photo identifications, detailed descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their melodious songs, intriguing facts, and much more.
Chickadees, those bustling little songbirds, flit about in search of insects and readily visit backyard feeders. They belong to the esteemed Poecile avian family, encompassing only seven Chickadee species, all of which thrive in North America.
Among the Chickadees sighted in South Dakota, three types exist. However, only the Black-capped Chickadees are common and frequently encountered. The Mountain Chickadees and Boreal Chickadees, on the other hand, are rare sightings in this region.
Unlike migratory birds, Chickadees may descend to lower altitudes during the winter months, ensuring their survival in the cold. Studies have revealed their remarkable adaptations, such as food caching, seeking refuge in cavities, and entering a state of regulated nocturnal hypothermia to conserve energy.
Due to their high body temperature, Chickadees possess insatiable appetites and devour an amount of food equivalent to their own body weight each day!
Sadly, the lifespans of these enchanting birds are not typically lengthy. On average, they live for a mere two or three years, with some individuals reaching a maximum age of twelve years.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees can prove challenging as they bear a striking resemblance. However, only the males possess the ability to produce the resounding ‘Fee-bee’ song.
Chickadees primarily feed on insects and seeds, and they frequently visit backyard feeders in search of seeds and suet. Discover other fascinating avian species that regularly grace South Dakota with their presence and obtain a complimentary identification chart.
To provide accurate information regarding the Chickadees spotted in South Dakota, this guide relies on avibase and data contributed by diligent birdwatchers via ebird.
Three Distinct Chickadee Varieties in South Dakota:
1. Black-capped Chickadee
A year-round resident in South Dakota, the Black-capped Chickadees are prevalent, appearing in 20% of summer checklists and 29% of winter checklists submitted by observant birdwatchers.
With endearing round heads and diminutive bodies, Black-capped Chickadees charm onlookers. These curious birds fearlessly investigate everything in their path, including human observers!
They boast black caps, beaks, and throats, coupled with white cheeks. Their back, wings, and tail exhibit shades of gray, while their bellies appear lighter. Carolina Chickadees bear a striking resemblance to them.
Scientific Name: 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 and can be observed in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
These delightful birds frequent forests, open woodlands, and parks, relishing seeds, berries, insects, spiders, and suet.
Black-capped Chickadee Call/Song:
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
Black-capped Chickadees construct their nests, typically within abandoned woodpecker nests. However, they might fashion their own cavities within decaying branches. Both males and females contribute to nest building, with the female lining it using moss and subsequently incorporating softer materials like fur.
They can lay sizeable clutches of up to thirteen eggs, which require around two weeks to hatch. The fledglings leave the nest after an additional two weeks.
To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, provide suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These friendly birds might even feed from your hand and often become the first visitors to new feeders. Nest boxes can also entice them, especially when filled with wood shavings.
Fun Fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains that annually shed old neurons to eliminate obsolete information while assimilating fresh neurons and knowledge.
2. Mountain Chickadee
Mountain Chickadees are exceedingly rare in South Dakota and are deemed accidental sightings within the state. Only one sighting has been reported thus far, near Horse Thief Lake in 2021.
These dainty birds feature black-and-white heads, while their bodies exhibit shades of gray, darker on the back and lighter underneath.
Scientific Name: Poecile gambeli
Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.4 oz (11 g)
Mountain Chickadees remain year-round residents in mountainous regions west of the United States. While they do not migrate, they might venture to lower elevations during winter.
You can find Mountain Chickadees predominantly in evergreen forests, particularly those enriched with pine and coniferous trees. Their diet comprises insects, spiders, nuts, and seeds. These resourceful birds often stash food for later consumption, creating well-stocked reserves.
Credit: Richard E. Webster, XC619853. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/619853.
Mountain Chickadees typically select old woodpecker or nuthatch nests as their nesting sites. The female lines the cavity with fur and diligently conceals her eggs when leaving. Clutches of up to nine eggs are incubated for around two weeks, followed by approximately three weeks before the fledglings depart the nest.
To attract Mountain Chickadees to your yard, consider installing nest boxes. Additionally, they willingly visit various feeders, showing a fondness for black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, nyjer, suet, and peanut butter.
Fun Fact: Compared to other Chickadee species, Mountain Chickadee eggs require 50% more incubation time, likely due to the protective nature of old woodpecker nests and the female’s practice of covering the eggs when absent.
3. Boreal Chickadee
While sightings of Boreal Chickadees in South Dakota are exceedingly rare, the South Dakota Rare Bird Records has acknowledged their presence under review lists.
Boreal Chickadees exhibit a diminutive size, with grayish-brown plumage, dark brown caps, small black bibs, cinnamon sides, and white undersides and cheeks.
Scientific Name: 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 inhabit Canada and Alaska but may venture into northern regions of the United States.
These birds are typically found in coniferous forests, often near water sources, although they can also occupy deciduous or mixed forests. Their diet consists of seeds and insects, and they readily visit feeders.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Boreal Chickadees construct their nests within dead trees, with the female responsible for creating the cavity. The nest is lined with moss and bark, followed by the addition of softer materials like hair and feathers. Clutches of up to nine eggs require slightly over two weeks of incubation.
To attract Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, provide black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, mealworms, and various feeder types. Additionally, installing a nesting box can entice a mating pair to settle in.
Fun Fact: Boreal Chickadees diligently store seeds and insects to ensure a steady food supply during the lengthy and harsh winter months.
Enticing Chickadees to Your Backyard
Observing Chickadees’ lively antics as they busily search for sustenance is truly a joy. If you desire to witness more of these adorable birds in your yard, follow these tips to attract them:
1. Supply feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Chickadees are adaptable and will visit various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders.
3. Provide a water source, preferably a birdbath with running water.
4. Plant trees and shrubs that bear berries and attract insects, providing a natural food source.
5. Refrain from using pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as part of their diet.
6. Create sheltered areas with trees and shrubs.
7. Install nesting boxes with small 1 1/8-inch holes, mounted 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
8. Keep domestic 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 Songs and Calls
Chickadees are renowned for their characteristic “chick a dee” call, which serves as a mild alarm or contact call. Contrary to popular belief, their song actually comprises a melodic “fee bee” sound.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– Produced by males.
– The first note has a higher pitch than the second.
– Males distance themselves from one another while singing.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Available 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 assistance while incubating.
– Used for communication between parents and young.
3. Chick-a-dee call
– Serves as a mild alarm call.
– Functions as a contact call within flocks.
– Facilitates coordinated movements within flocks.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
– Consists of a series of two to nine short notes.
– Used to warn birds that are too close, either in flocks or near feeders.
– Serves as a preemptive call before initiating an attack to enforce distance.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young Chickadees emit bee-like calls to elicit feeding from their parents.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– An alarm call employed when predators are present.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Available at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Chickadee Sightings in South Dakota: Summer and Winter Frequencies
Checklists serve as invaluable resources for determining the most commonly sighted birds in your state. The following statistics reveal the prevalence of Chickadee species on ebird checklists during summer and winter in South Dakota:
Chickadees in South Dakota during Summer:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 20.9%
– Mountain Chickadee: <0.1%
Chickadees in South Dakota during Winter:
– Black-capped Chickadee: 29.4%