BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE
#CHK-400
Notecards
Also available in Notecard Assortment Packs #AST-405
& #AST-505
#LE-CHK-400 Limited Edition Print
An
acrobatic little bird, the black-capped chickadee often hangs
head down from outer twigs and branches, swinging energetically
and turning complete somersaults as it looks for insect eggs and
larvae to eat. At the slightest threat of danger, it vanishes
quickly. This chickadee’s adeptness at spotting predators
makes it a favorite traveling companion for other forest birds
- including woodpeckers, tufted titmice, kinglets, brown creepers
and nuthatches.
The
black-capped chickadee’s small size (about 5 inches long)
belies a true toughness. It often survives brutal winters in Alaska
and Canada, feeding on dormant insects in temperatures that plummet
to 50 deg. F below zero. The black-capped chickadee’s range
extends as far south as northern Oklahoma.
It
prefers living in woods, especially willow thickets. Although
this chickadee will settle for a nest in an abandoned woodpecker
hole, it more commonly digs its own nesting holes in partially
rotted trees.
The
black-capped chickadee frequents bird feeders, especially shaky
hanging ones that many other birds avoid. You can attract it with
sunflower seeds, peanut kernels, peanut butter mix and suet.
In
addition to the black cap referred to in its name, this chickadee
sports a black bib beneath white cheeks. It has gray upper parts,
whitish under parts with a touch of rust on its sides. The name
also comes from its “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call.
Text © 1997 Terry White, Drawing ©
1997 Bill Harrah
BACKYARD
BIRDS . . . (Click on an image to see the actual
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