In West Virginia, this comprehensive manual will assist you in identifying the various species of Chickadees with vivid photo identifications and descriptions, captivating audio recordings of their melodic tunes, intriguing facts, and more.
Chickadees, those lively little songbirds, gracefully flutter about in search of insects, readily frequenting backyard feeders. They belong to the esteemed Poecile bird family, encompassing merely seven unique Chickadee species, all of which call North America their home.
In West Virginia, three distinct types of Chickadees can be observed, albeit only the Carolina Chickadees and Black-capped Chickadees are commonly sighted. The Boreal Chickadees, on the other hand, are deemed scarce or occur sporadically.
Chickadees do not embark on migratory journeys, but they may seek lower ground during wintertime. To endure the frigid winter months, studies have revealed that Chickadees engage in food caching, seek refuge in cavities, and adopt a regulated nocturnal hypothermia state to conserve energy.
Due to their elevated body temperature and constant need, Chickadees possess an insatiable appetite, devouring sustenance equivalent to their own weight on a daily basis!
Typically, Chickadees do not lead long lives, with a meager lifespan of only two to three years. As adults, they may survive a solitary year, experiencing just one breeding season. However, there have been recorded instances of Chickadees living up to twelve years.
Discerning between male and female Chickadees can be challenging since they bear striking resemblances. However, it is worth noting that only male Chickadees emit the resounding ‘Fee-bee’ melody.
Moreover, while Black-capped Chickadees and Carolina Chickadees bear striking similarities, the former exhibits more pronounced white markings on its wings and possesses a two-note song as opposed to the four-note song of the latter.
Feasting on insects and seeds, Chickadees frequently grace backyard feeders, relishing in the provision of seeds or suet. Discover the array of backyard avian visitors regularly encountered in West Virginia and procure a complimentary identification chart.
This informative guide’s primary objective is to aid in the identification of Chickadee species present in West Virginia, relying on data compiled from avid bird watchers on ebird and the comprehensive avibase.
The trio of Chickadee species in West Virginia encompasses:
1. Carolina Chickadee
The Carolina Chickadee is a year-round resident of West Virginia, displaying no migratory tendencies. Approximately 20% of summer checklists and 29% of winter checklists submitted by bird watchers within the state feature this species.
Carolina Chickadees are diminutive birds boasting sizeable heads, adorned with black caps and throats, with cheeks and bellies displaying a pristine white hue. Their gentle gray backs, wings, and tails lend a sense of elegance.
Closely resembling their Black-capped counterparts, Carolina Chickadees interbreed in regions of shared habitat, although such regions are relatively sparse. Notably, Black-capped Chickadees bear more pronounced 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 inhabit the eastern and southeastern regions of the United States throughout the year.
Forested areas, parks, and backyard settings serve as favored haunts for Carolina Chickadees. During summer, their diet primarily comprises insects and spiders, while winter sees roughly half of their nourishment derived from plant matter.
Carolina Chickadee Song:
Credit: Brian Hendrix, XC572217. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/572217.
Carolina Chickadees construct nests within self-made or preexisting cavities, lining the interior with moss before incorporating softer materials such as hair. Up to ten eggs are laid, with an incubation period of two weeks, followed by the fledglings leaving the nest within an additional two to three weeks.
To allure Carolina Chickadees to your backyard feeders, offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet feeders, or peanuts. These charming birds readily feed from various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders. They also exhibit a proclivity for nesting within nest boxes or tubes.
2. Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees, present year-round in West Virginia, primarily inhabit the eastern region of the state. Summer checklists document their presence in approximately 12% of instances, while winter checklists report an occurrence rate of 14%.
Featuring endearing round heads and petite bodies, Black-capped Chickadees eagerly grace backyard feeders, tirelessly investigating their surroundings, including human observers!
Distinguishing characteristics include black caps, beaks, and throats, complemented by white cheeks. Their gray backs, wings, and tail exhibit a subtle shade, while their bellies emanate a lighter tone. Resemblances to Carolina Chickadees are evident.
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 refrain from undertaking migratory ventures, and their distribution encompasses the northern regions of the United States and Canada.
Forests, open woods, and parks serve as favored habitats for Black-capped Chickadees. 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.
Nest construction for Black-capped Chickadees primarily occurs within old woodpecker nests, occasionally involving the creation of cavities within decaying branches. Both male and female Chickadees partake in nest building, with the female incorporating moss and subsequent layers of softer material, such as fur.
A generous clutch of up to thirteen eggs can be laid, requiring a two-week incubation period before the fledglings emerge from the nest within an additional two weeks.
To attract Black-capped Chickadees to your backyard, entice them with suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or peanut butter. These sociable birds may even feed from your hand, often being among the first to discover new feeders. Nest boxes are also a welcome addition, especially if equipped with wood shavings.
Fun fact: Black-capped Chickadees possess remarkable brains, annually discarding old neurons to rid themselves of unnecessary information while simultaneously acquiring new neurons and knowledge.
3. Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Chickadees represent an accidental presence in West Virginia. These birds are exceedingly rare within the state and have not been sighted for numerous years.
Sporting a grayish-brown hue, Boreal Chickadees are small songbirds distinguished by dark brown caps, modest black bibs, cinnamon-colored sides, and white undersides 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 primarily inhabit Canada and Alaska, occasionally venturing into the northern regions of the United States.
These delightful birds can be found predominantly in coniferous forests, often in proximity to water sources, although they may also appear in deciduous or mixed forests. Their diet consists of seeds and insects sourced from the upper canopy, and they eagerly visit feeders.
Credit: Ken Hall, XC511286. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/511286.
Nest construction for Boreal Chickadees typically occurs within deceased trees, with the female responsible for creating the cavity. Moss and bark serve as initial lining materials, followed by the incorporation of softer substances such as hair and feathers. The incubation period lasts slightly over two weeks, resulting in the hatching of the eggs.
To attract Boreal Chickadees to your backyard, offer black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, peanuts, and mealworms via a variety of feeder types. Additionally, providing a nesting box with a small entrance hole of 1 1/8 inch positioned 5 to 15 feet above ground level can entice a mating pair.
Fun fact: Boreal Chickadees possess the remarkable ability to store seeds and insects in preparation for the harsh winter months.
Encouraging Chickadees to Visit Your Backyard
The lively nature of Chickadees provides a delightful spectacle, and if you yearn for more encounters with these adorable avians, attracting them to your yard is essential.
Take note of the following guidelines to entice Chickadees to your backyard:
– Provide feeders generously stocked with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, suet, or peanuts.
– Various feeder types, including tube feeders, suet cages, or platform feeders, are suitable for Chickadees.
– Install a water source, preferably a birdbath with running water, to quench their thirst.
– Plant trees and shrubs that yield berries and attract insects, serving as a natural food source.
– Avoid the use of pesticides or herbicides, as Chickadees rely on insects for sustenance.
– Create a sheltered environment by incorporating trees and shrubs into your backyard landscape.
– Enhance the appeal by providing nest boxes with small entrance holes, positioned 5 to 15 feet above ground level.
– Keep pet cats indoors to ensure the safety of visiting birds.
– Exercise patience, as it may take some time for birds to discover your yard and feeders.
Chickadee Songs and Calls
Chickadees are renowned for their distinct vocalizations, with the iconic “chick a dee” call serving as an alarm or contact call rather than their actual song.
Explore the various sounds produced by Chickadees:
1. Fee-bee:
– Emitted exclusively by male Chickadees.
– The first note carries a higher pitch compared to the second.
– Males typically sing while maintaining a distance from other males.
Credit: Matt Wistrand, XC554222. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/554222.
2. Faint Fee-bee:
– Produced by both male and female Chickadees.
– Females utilize this call to summon the male for feeding while she incubates.
– Frequently employed in communication between parents and young.
3. Chick-a-dee call:
– Serves as a mild alarm call.
– Functions as a contact call within flocks.
– Assists in coordinating movements among flock members.
Credit: GABRIEL LEITE, XC420822. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/420822.
4. Gargle:
– Comprises a series of two to nine short notes.
– Used when birds encroach upon one another’s proximity in flocks or at feeders.
– Serves as a warning call, signaling a potential attack to prompt the other bird to retreat.
Credit: Todd Wilson, XC42956. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/42956.
5. Begging Call:
– Young Chickadees emit bee-like calls to elicit parental feeding.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC36609. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/36609.
6. High Seet Call:
– An alarm call indicating the presence of predators.
Credit: Tayler Brooks, XC35305. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/35305.
Frequency of Chickadee Sightings in West Virginia during Summer and Winter
Checklists serve as valuable resources for discerning commonly sighted bird species in your state. By examining checklists submitted to ebird, we can ascertain the frequency of Chickadee sightings during summer and winter in West Virginia.
Chickadees in West Virginia during Summer:
Carolina Chickadee: 20.9%
Black-capped Chickadee: 12.9%
Chickadees in West Virginia during Winter:
Carolina Chickadee: 29.5%
Black-capped Chickadee: 14.8%