Chickadees

Joe Meche is vice president of the North Cascades Audubon Society and is in his 10th year as editor of the chapter newsletter. Joe is also a member of the board of directors of the Washington Brant Foundation. He has been photographing birds and landscapes for over 30 years and has been watching birds for more than 50 years.

A few years ago, I was walking along an icy path in late January and according the weatherman, it was the coldest day of the winter, so far. The temperature was well below freezing and the crusted snow crunched beneath my boots with each step I took. As humans must do in winter to achieve a semblance of comfort, I was well-layered but the biting wind was searching for any exposed skin. The landscape I had chosen for my daily hike was frozen and extremely inhospitable.

The morning air was still and nothing seemed to be moving, but along the way in this harsh setting I became aware of the company of a small flock of birds. The birds were darting about from bare limbs and tree trunks to frozen shrubs and gleaning anything and everything they could find to eat. Despite the cold, I smiled when I recognized the birds. Their exuberance was infectious and their cheerful chatter was the distinctive sound of black-capped chickadees.

Black-capped chickadees and their brethren are members of the family Paridae and along with their close relatives, the titmice, are among the hardiest of the passerine species. Chickadees are marvels of adaptation and totally suited for the harshest winter weather. While most passerine species head south for the cold months, chickadees are among the few that have adapted well enough to survive.

In winter, chickadees increase their feather count and are able to conserve heat by fluffing their feathers. They can also raise their body temperature by as much as four degrees to compensate for colder weather. These energetic little birds spend entire days foraging for food to feed the incredible metabolism that keeps them warm. Studies have shown that on an average winter day chickadees will eat 20 times as much as they do during the warmer months of the year.

Another method of dealing with cold weather is the communal night roost, where families of chickadees will gather in hollow trees or in old woodpecker holes to form a literal ball of bodies to conserve heat and stay out of the often brutal winter wind. Inside their shelters, they are able to slow their heart rates and reduce their body temperature, while they enter a state of torpor for the night.

Chickadees survive throughout the year on a variety of insects and seeds and they can be quite acrobatic when it comes to acquiring food. They have the ability to hang upside down while they feed and are equipped with strong leg muscles to accomplish this and other feats to get to the intended morsel. They hold seeds between their toes and break them into bite-sized pieces with their beaks, and they also utilize food caches for later use.

Chickadees are among the most recognizable birds at our backyard feeders and can be found in a variety of habitats that range from riparian areas to forested woodlands and suburban lawns. It’s not surprising on bitterly cold winter days to see little else stirring besides these extraordinary little bundles of feathers. Both sexes look alike so there’s no need to wade through the flocks to differentiate between the two.

Chickadees remain loyal to their year-round ranges, for the most part. In Whatcom County, our resident black-capped and chestnut-backed chickadees have been observed on every Christmas Bird Count since 1967, with the occasional mountain chickadee showing up for excitement. Real excitement would certainly arrive if we were fortunate enough to have a visit from a boreal chickadee, that denizen of the northern Canadian forests. The black-capped is the western counterpart of the Carolina chickadee of the eastern states and related to the Mexican chickadee, as well.

Chickadees are cavity nesters and rely on hollow trees and vacated woodpecker holes to build their nests and raise their young. The nest itself is cup-shaped and is usually built by the female. Both sexes will work together if any excavation (remodeling?) is required. They will also use man-made nesting boxes, especially ones with entry holes of a specific measurement to exclude starlings. The male feeds the female while she incubates a typical clutch of 5-10 eggs.

As well as bringing cheer to our backyards, chickadees also provide a valuable service to the knowledgeable birder. When you hear a number of chickadees engaging in what seems to be a bout of scolding, you can often bet that they’ve located a sleeping owl or some other intruder on their territory. This scolding is known as mobbing and is a good way for birds to help birdwatchers find predators such as owls and hawks. Chickadees are notable in their response to any trespasser in their midst.

There is some danger involved, however, if the scolding gets out of hand and the target species strikes back. More often than not, the intruder leaves for a little peace and a quieter place to rest. This mobbing behavior also has a tendency to attract other curious birds, so be prepared for any number of possibilities.

Chickadees are often listed as backyard favorites for the entertainment they provide throughout the year. They are feeder-friendly and their energy and acrobatic skills make them a joy to watch. Next time you’re sitting back in your favorite chair on a cold winter day and sipping on something refreshing, make sure to fill your feeders and watch for chickadees. They do love those tasty, black oil sunflower seeds.

If you’re not necessarily inclined and prefer not to spend much time indoors, regardless of the weather outside, keep in mind that no matter where you go, you’ll probably run into a few chickadees here and there. Practice your pishing skills and just for good measure, carry a few sunflower seeds in your pocket. You’ll have those chickadees eating right out of your hand! §