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The Black-Capped Chickadee, or Poecile atricapilla, is a member of the family Paridae. It is a small bird commonly found at feeders in Northern United States and Canada. It is the state bird of Maine and Massachusetts.


Appearance[]

The chickadee has a black cap on its head, hence the name. It also possesses a short black bill, and a black bib. It has white cheeks with gray upperparts and wings with white tips. Despite its small size, the Black-Capped Chickadee has a long tail. This bird's belly can be white or a light yellow. The legs and feet are black.

Black capped chickadee

Adult feeding.

Habits[]

Black-Capped Chickadees are often seen in pairs or small groups. Many a chickadee may join a flock of another species foraging for food. These birds are often seen hanging upside-down from branches searching for insects and their eggs. When a chickadee takes large seeds from feeders, it always holds the seed between its feet on a perch and pounds the seed coat open with its bill.

Feeding[]

The Black-Capped Chickadee feeds on insects, insect eggs, seeds, and bayberries. At feeders these birds eat sunflower seeds, doughnuts, and peanut butter-cornmeal mixtures. They are most commonly found feeding from suet feeders. They are one of the most common birds found in the U.S. and Canada.

Nesting[]

Feldgling

Fledgling

The nest is built by both the male and female birds. It is made of vegetation, moss, feathers, hair, and insect cocoons. Nests can be found in deciduous trees, conifer, snag, or a nest box 4-40 feet above ground. The female lays 5-10 white eggs with fine reddish-brown marks. The incubation, which is done by both sexes, lasts from 11-13 days. After they are hatched, the young stay in the nest from 14-18 days. They are fed by both sexes. Black-Capped Chickadees have 1 brood per year.

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