Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapilla

Black-capped Chickadees are a very common permanent resident across the state.  They often associate in winter flocks with an assortment of white-breasted nuthatches, kinglets, and brown creepers. Chickadees are often one of the few signs of bird life in otherwise barren forests in the winter.  

Habitat: Forest and woodlands, groves, shade trees, residential areas, parks.  Primarily found in deciduous or mixed forest, not pure conifer stands.

Diet: Mostly insects, seeds, and berries.  Mostly insects in the summer.

Behavior: Forages by hopping from branch to branch, sometimes hanging upside down as it scours surfaces for food items.  They will sometimes cache food for later retrieval and consumption.

Nesting: Late April through mid-July

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Click to listen to Black-capped Chickadee Song, also Black-capped Chickadee Call

Migration: Generally non-migratory

Similar Species: Mountain Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee

Conservation Status: Numbers are generally thought to be stable.  However, there are some indications that West Nile virus has taken a heavy toll on Black-capped Chickadee populations in some regions.

Feeders: Nuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter.

Birdhouses: Will nest in birdhouses designed for Chickadees.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Black-capped Chickadee

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Black-capped Chickadee"

3) eNature.com: Black-capped Chickadee

Photo Information: November 7th, 2007 -- Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon -- Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Black-capped Chickadee photos.