Poecile atricapillus- Black-capped Chickadee

View range map of Black-capped Chickadee here.

The Black-capped Chickadee is one of the most familiar back yard birds across the northern United States and southern Canada. Its closest relative is probably not the very similar Carolina Chickadee of the southern United States, but the Mountain Chickadee. The Black-capped Chickadee is resident throughout its range, and can withstand the harsh winters of the north due to its exceptional abilities in recalling the locations of its food stores. It also lowers its body temperature at night and goes into a regulated hypothermia to conserve energy. This cheerful little bird frequents back yard feeders, often in large flocks during the winter. It also gleans for insects from foliage and tree bark while hanging upside down. The Black-capped Chickadee is a cavity nester. It excavates a cavity in a dead tree, or sometimes uses old woodpecker holes, and nest boxes. The female lines the nest with moss and other soft materials. The female lays 5-8 white eggs with reddish markings. She incubates for 11-13 days, covering the eggs when she leaves the nest. During this time the male often brings her food. The chicks are fed insects by the male and brooded by the female; they fledge after 14-18 days. During this time the male continues to bring food to the female. After fledging the chicks never return to the nest, but roost together in a tree. The parents will continue to care for them for another three weeks, providing all their food initially until they gradually learn to capture food for themselves. Clearing of forests which removes dead trees destroys nesting habitat for this species. Nest boxes will be readily used in areas where there is a shortage of suitable natural nest sites, especially if saw dust is placed in the box. Bird feeders are of great assistance to this species during winter. Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with deformed beaks have been recorded in Alaska since the early 1990s. Researchers found that one in 12 of the chickadees they captured since 2000, suffered from this deformity and many had other deformities and DNA abnormalities also. No definite cause has been determined; however tests suggest that industrial chemical contaminants may be the cause as high concentrations of these contaminants have been found in the tissues of birds of other species with beak deformities. Help scientists learn more about this species by joining Project FeederWatch.

 

View range map of Tufted Titmouse here.

The Tufted Titmouse is a common bird of deciduous forests in the eastern United States, and a regular visitor to back yard feeders. The closely related Black-crested Titmouse of Texas and Mexico has sometimes been considered a subspecies of the Tufted Titmouse because they hybridize where they meet. The Tufted Titmouse gleans insects from bark and foliage, hanging upside down while it does so. It forages with mixed species flocks. The Tufted Titmouse is a cavity nester which readily uses nest boxes. The abandoned cavities of Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Red-headed, Pileated woodpeckers and Northern Flickers are used. The nest is lined with damp leaves, moss and hair. The 3-9 eggs are incubated by the female for 12-14 days. The female broods the chicks for 4 days during which time the male feeds them. Both parents feed the chicks after 12 days of age and for the first few days after fledging. The chicks may stay in the breeding territory with the parents over the winter, but will be independent after about five weeks of age. Since 1950s the Tufted Titmouse has expanded its range northwards. Reasons for this are thought to include climatic warming, frequency of bird feeders and abandonment of farm land providing more suitable habitat. Loss of nest sites due to deforestation is a problem in some areas. Help scientists learn more about this species by joining Project FeederWatch.

 

 

There are no flock members in this family.

There are no flock members in this family.

• Subfamily Sittinae- Nuthatches
• There are no flock members in this family.

• Subfamily Certhiinae- Northern Creepers
• There are no flock members in this subfamily.

There are no flock members in this family.

• Subfamily Sylviinae- Old World Warblers
• Subfamily Polioptilinae- Gnatcatchers, Gnatwrens
• There are no flock members in these subfamilies.