Discover the fascinating array of Chickadee species that can be observed in Virginia, complete with photo identifications, descriptive details, enchanting audio recordings of their melodious songs, intriguing facts, and more.
Chickadees, these active and nimble songbirds, flutter around in search of insects, readily frequenting backyard feeders. Belonging to the Poecile family of avian creatures, there exist merely seven distinct Chickadee species, all of which call North America their home.
Within the confines of Virginia, one can encounter three specific types of Chickadees. Carolina Chickadees and Black-capped Chickadees are common visitors, while the presence of Boreal Chickadees is a rare occurrence.
Although Chickadees do not partake in long migrations, they may journey to lower altitudes during the winter months. To endure the harshness of the cold season, scientific studies reveal that Chickadees employ various survival strategies, including food caching, seeking shelter in cavities, and entering a regulated state of nocturnal hypothermia to conserve energy.
Due to their elevated body temperature and insatiable appetite, Chickadees have an extraordinary need to consume an amount of food equivalent to their own body weight each day!
In general, Chickadees tend to have relatively short lifespans, with an average duration of merely two to three years. Some individuals may live for only a single year as adults, engaging in just one breeding season. However, remarkable records exist of Chickadees surpassing a decade in age, living up to an impressive twelve years.
Distinguishing between male and female Chickadees can pose a challenge, as their physical appearances are quite similar. However, it is worth noting that only the male Chickadees possess the ability to produce the distinctive, resounding ‘Fee-bee’ song.
Additionally, Black-capped Chickadees and Carolina Chickadees bear striking resemblances to one another, although the former exhibits more prominent white markings on its wings and utters a two-note song instead of the four-note song characteristic of the latter.
Chickadees delight in a diet consisting of insects and seeds, often frequenting backyard feeders to savor seeds or suet. To expand your knowledge further, explore a comprehensive chart detailing other varieties of backyard birds regularly sighted in Virginia, available for printing at no cost.
This guide serves as a valuable resource for identifying the different types of Chickadees present in Virginia, drawing information from reliable sources such as avibase and incorporating data collected by avid bird watchers on ebird to provide accurate details regarding the optimal periods for spotting these captivating birds.
The Three Chickadee Species Found in Virginia:
1. Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Chickadees, abundant throughout the year in Virginia, rank among the most commonly observed avian residents. Around 35% of summer checklists and 45% of winter checklists submitted by dedicated bird watchers for the state feature sightings of these delightful birds.
Sporting petite bodies and large heads, Carolina Chickadees boast black caps and throats, adorned with white cheeks and bellies. Their soft gray backs, wings, and tails complete their charming appearance. Notably, they bear a striking resemblance to Black-capped Chickadees and occasionally interbreed when their territories overlap, although such occurrences are infrequent. Distinctively, Black-capped Chickadees exhibit more extensive white wing markings than Carolina Chickadees.
Scientific Name: Poecile carolinensis
Length: 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces (8-12 g)
Wingspan: 5.9-7.9 inches (15-20 cm)
Carolina Chickadees are permanent residents in the eastern and southeastern regions of the United States.
You can easily spot Carolina Chickadees in forested areas, parks, and even your own backyard. During the summer, they primarily feed on insects and spiders, while in winter, approximately half of their diet consists of plant materials.
Carolina Chickadee Song:
Credit: Brian Hendrix, XC572217. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/572217.
These resourceful birds construct their nests within self-made holes or existing cavities crafted by other species or found naturally. Lining the cavity with moss and subsequently soft materials like hair, Carolina Chickadees lay up to ten eggs. The incubation period lasts approximately two weeks, followed by another two to three weeks until the young birds depart the nest.
To attract Carolina Chickadees to your backyard, offer enticing provisions such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet feeders, or peanuts. These charming creatures will happily feed from a wide range of feeders, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders. Providing nest boxes or tubes may also entice them to settle and reproduce.
2. Black-capped Chickadee
While relatively less common, Black-capped Chickadees can be spotted year-round in Virginia, primarily in the western region of the state.
Characterized by their endearing round heads and diminutive bodies, Black-capped Chickadees eagerly visit backyard feeders, diligently investigating every nook and cranny, including human observers.
Distinguishing features include black caps, beaks, and throats, accompanied by white cheeks. Their backs, wings, and tails exhibit shades of gray, while their bellies present a lighter hue. Notably, they bear a strong 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 do not migrate and can be observed in the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
Forests, open woodlands, and parks serve as the favored habitats of Black-capped Chickadees. Their diet comprises 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 select old woodpecker nests for their own nesting purposes, although they may also create cavities in decaying branches. Both male and female Chickadees contribute to constructing the nest, with the female meticulously lining it using materials such as moss, fur, and feathers. These resourceful birds lay clutches of up to thirteen eggs, which take around two weeks to hatch. Following the hatching period, the young chicks require an additional two weeks to fledge from the nest.
To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, offer enticing treats like suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These sociable birds may even feed directly from your hand and are often among the first to discover new feeders. Nest boxes, filled with wood shavings, are also likely to pique their interest.
Fun Fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains that systematically discard unnecessary information by allowing old brain neurons to perish each year, subsequently replacing them with new neurons and updated information.
3. Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Chickadees, exceedingly rare in Virginia, are regarded as accidental visitors to the state. Only a few sightings have been documented, the most recent being around Clarke back in 2011.
These tiny, grayish-brown songbirds boast dark brown caps, small black bibs, cinnamon-colored sides, and white underparts 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 predominantly inhabit Canada and Alaska, occasionally venturing into the northern regions of the United States.
Their preferred habitats consist mainly of coniferous forests, often near water sources. However, they can also be found in deciduous or mixed forests. Boreal Chickadees feed on seeds and insects found in the upper portions of the forest canopy and readily visit feeders.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
When it comes to nesting, Boreal Chickadees typically select deceased trees, using cavities created by the female. These cavities are lined with moss, bark, and subsequently softer materials like hair and feathers. Boreal Chickadees lay clutches of up to nine eggs, with an incubation period slightly exceeding two weeks.
To attract Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, entice them with provisions such as black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms. These alluring treats can be placed in various feeder types. Additionally, erecting a nesting box may increase the chances of attracting a mating pair.
Fun Fact: Boreal Chickadees engage in seed and insect storage activities to prepare for the long and harsh winter months.
Attracting Chickadees to Your Backyard
The delightful and energetic presence of Chickadees in your yard can be a joy to behold. To increase the likelihood of attracting these charming birds, consider implementing the following strategies:
1. Supply feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
2. Various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders, can accommodate Chickadees’ feeding habits.
3. Provide a water source, such as a birdbath with running water, to cater to their hydration needs.
4. Plant trees and shrubs that bear berries and attract insects, serving as a natural food source.
5. Avoid the use of pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects as a crucial component of their diet.
6. Create sheltered areas with the presence of trees and shrubs, offering protection and nesting opportunities.
7. Install nest boxes with small entrance holes (approximately 1 1/8 inches) raised 5 to 15 feet above the ground.
8. Ensure the safety of Chickadees by keeping cats indoors.
9. Exercise patience, as it may take time for these birds to discover your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees are renowned for their distinctive vocalizations. The namesake “chick-a-dee” call, often associated with these birds, actually serves as a mild alarm or contact call. Furthermore, their song manifests as a melodic “fee-bee” sound.
Chickadee Sounds:
1. Fee-bee
– Produced exclusively by males
– The first note carries a higher pitch than the second
– Males tend to distance themselves from other males while singing
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee
– Produced by both males and females
– Females use this call to summon males for feeding while they incubate eggs
– Employed for communication between parents and their offspring
3. Chick-a-dee call
– Serves as a mild alarm call
– Used for contact within flocks
– Facilitates coordination of movements within a group
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle
– Comprises a series of two to nine short notes
– Function as a warning call, signaling proximity to other birds in flocks or at feeders
– Precedes possible confrontations to establish distance between individuals
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call
– Young chickadees emit bee-like calls to request feeding from their parents
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call
– Serves as an alarm call to alert others of the presence of predators
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequent Chickadee Sightings in Virginia During Summer and Winter
To gain insights into the prevalence of Chickadees within Virginia during different seasons, checklists provide valuable information. These compilations indicate the frequency with which various Chickadee species are observed based on ebird submissions for summer and winter in the state.
Chickadees in Virginia during Summer:
Carolina Chickadee: 35.5%
Black-capped Chickadee: 0.9%
Chickadees in Virginia during Winter:
Carolina Chickadee: 45.1%
Black-capped Chickadee: 0.7%
Boreal Chickadee: <0.1%