Chestnut-backed Chickadees are among the most colorful of the different chickadee species in North America, and are also the smallest and shortest tailed chickadees. The dark chestnut back is unique for this chickadee, and makes it readily distinguishable from the other chickadee species which overlap in range in the northwestern U.S. and western Canada. In winter, mixed flocks of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, and Golden-crowned Kinglets can often be seen foraging together in range.
Habitat
In the moist conifer forests of spruce, hemlock, or fir along the Pacific Coast, Chestnut-backed Chickadees are typically the only chickadee species present. They will use dense conifer forests throughout their range, if present. In the southern part of their range, they also will use mixed pine and oak woodlands, and riparian woodlands.
Diet
Insects and spiders make up about two-thirds of the typical diet. Berries, seeds, and fruti are also consumed, depending upon availability and season.
Behavior
Foraging behavior typically includes clambering and hopping from branch to branch in search of insects or other food items. They will often start in the lowest branches of a tree, work their way up, and then move to the bottom of a nearby tree to repeat the process. They will also sometimes act like flycatchers, flying out from a perch to snag insects that are passing by.
Nesting
A cavity nester, primarily nesting in cavities in trees, including old woodpecker holes or nesting holes built by other birds. Will also excavate own cavity in dead and rotting wood. Nesting birds often return to use the same nest hole in subsequent years. Song: Lacks musical song or whistles, with an accelerating series of chip notes functioning as a song. Migration: Generally non-migratory, although birds may move short distances in the fall and winter in search of suitable foraging grounds. Interactive eBird Map:
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access the eBird species page for Chestnut-backed Chickadee
