Carolina Chickadee

My little friends have been in my backyard for several bird generations and are always welcome by me, the Carolina Chickadees are other favorites of mine.

Adults have a black cap and bib with white sides to the face. Their underparts are white with rusty brown on the flanks; their back is grey. They have a short dark bill, short wings and a moderately long tail. Very similar to the black-capped chickadee, the Carolina Chickadee is distinguished by the slightly browner wing with the greater coverts brown (not whitish fringed) and the white fringing on the secondary feathers slightly less conspicuous; the tail is also slightly shorter and more square-ended.

These birds hop along tree branches searching for insects, sometimes hanging upside down or hovering; they may make short flights to catch insects in the air. Insects form a large part of their diet, especially in summer; seeds and berries become important in winter. They sometimes hammer seeds on a tree or shrub to open them; they also will store seeds for later use.

I’m so used to see them, that I take them for granted for all year round as has been for the past years. My wife is very fond of them too!

12 thoughts on “Carolina Chickadee”

susanpoozan on June 2, 2015 at 8:51 am said:

What a dear little bird, your pictures do it more than justice.

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- avian101 on June 2, 2015 at 11:54 am said:
  
  Thank you Susan, you’re so kind! 🙂
  
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tootlepedal on June 2, 2015 at 6:56 pm said:

I like these little birds.

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- avian101 on June 2, 2015 at 8:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Tom! 🙂
  
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christybharath on June 3, 2015 at 7:59 am said:

Beautiful photos of such a gorgeous friend. I am telling you, man, if we were geographically closer – I would have gone “The Talented Mr Ripley” on your life!

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- avian101 on June 3, 2015 at 9:42 am said:
  
  Thanks Christy! You’re funny! 🙂
  
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Lisa Rest on June 3, 2015 at 10:38 am said:

Glad you have Carolina Chickadees! I don’t know what’s happened to our Black-Capped Chickadees but I know what you mean about taking them for granted…until they don’t show up. Lovely photos.

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- avian101 on June 3, 2015 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  My back yard wouldn’t be the same without them!. Thank you Lisa! 🙂
  
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45DegreesNorth on June 3, 2015 at 4:40 pm said:

Such adorable little birds. Thanks to your excellent description and photos, I can tell the difference between the two species when looking at your shots.

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- avian101 on June 3, 2015 at 4:43 pm said:
  
  Thank you Amy! 🙂
  
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Birder's Journey on June 6, 2015 at 4:46 pm said:

Just lovely – you are so lucky that they are such ‘regulars’ in your life!

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- avian101 on June 6, 2015 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Yes, I think so! Thanks Carol! 🙂
  
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