An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family PARIDAE: Chickadees

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) songbird's song uses birdhouses uses widlife trees FIELD MARKS The Black-capped Chickadee has a distinctive black cap and bib with white cheeks and a greenish-grey back. Its wings and tail feathers are dark gray with pale white edges and its underparts are white with a rusty tinge. Males and females are identical in appearance. These tiny birds are very bold and not easily frightened away by bigger birds. During the non-breeding season they live in small flocks which may provide protection from predators. Approximate length: 11 cm FOOD Chickadees forage though branches of trees searching for insects, seeds and berries. They commonly eat from feeders in the winter. HABITAT These chickadees live in deciduous or mixed woodlands as well as openings or edges of woods or shrubbery around houses. NESTING Nests are usually built in a cavity of a rotting tree. The cavities are generally excavated by the chickadees themselves or they may also use old woodpecker holes, natural cavities or birdhouses. The birds line their nests with soft plant material, hair, moss and feathers. The female lays 6-8 dull white eggs with light reddish-brown spots. STATUS Common and widespread. DISTRIBUTION This is the most widely distributed of all the chickadees in the province.