Mountain Chickadee -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 5.5 inches | Wingspan: 7.5 inches | Seasonality: Casual Visitor |
| ID Keys: Black cap with white eyebrow, black bib | ||
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Mountain Chickadee
Poecile gambeli
Generally replaces other chickadees in the higher elevation conifer forests of the western United States. Like the Black-Capped Chickadee, the Mountain Chickadee can often be found in mixed flocks of small birds. They often attempt to frighten potential predators away from nest locations by issuing a hiss sounding similar to a snake's.
Habitat: Prefers coniferous forest for breeding, but can also occasionally be found in lower-elevation mixed or deciduous woodlands.
Diet: Insects, spiders, seeds, and berries.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota.
Song: Mountain Chickadee Song
Migrations: Generally non-migratory, although some higher elevation birds may move to lower elevations for the winter.
Similar Species: Black-Capped Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee
Feeders: Nuts, sunflower seeds, baby chick scratch, suet.
Birdhouses: Will nest in birdhouses designed for Chickadees.
Status: Common and stable throughout its range.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Mountain Chickadee
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Mountain Chickadee"
3) E-nature.com: Mountain Chickadee
Photo Information: Out-of-State photo: June 16th, 2002 -- Near Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park -- Terry L. Sohl
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08