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Black-capped
Chickadee
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
Species: atricapillus
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La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
La. parum too little
La. parus titmouse, tomtit
Gr. poecile painted
La. ater black
La. capillus hair |
Five inches long. Top and back of head and
throat black. Sides of head and neck white. Breast and underside white to buff. Gray
back. Wing feathers and tail a darker gray, lined with white. Inhabits forests,
deserts, groves, and other wooded areas including farms, towns and cities throughout most
of Canada and southern Alaska, the northern two thirds of the U.S., in the Alleghanies as
far as South Carolina and in the West as far south as northern Arizona and New Mexico.
Builds nests of fine grass, feathers and hair usually in abandoned or
natural cavities or excavates its own in older trees from very low up to
15 feet. |
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A chickadee birdhouse in a tree in your yard is a good investment as they
are attracted to bird houses. See 50birds free birdhouse
woodworking
plans.
Lays six to eight white eggs which hatch after about two weeks
incubation and young leave the nest after about another two or three
weeks.
Hopping about trees and underbrush, they forage in scattered,
chattering flocks with nuthatches and titmice for insects and their eggs
and larvae under leaves or in the crevices of bark; and small seeds and
berries, and suet at feeders. Often seen hanging upside down from twigs
or feeders. Sings high pitched simple melodies.
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R. Bruce Horsfall |
Whistle to the inquisitive chickadee and it likely will sing back. With a
little patience, you might even entice one to take a seed or a raisin from your
hand. |
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The Black-capped Chickadee birdhouse plans (same as for Nuthatches,
Titmice,
Downy Woodpeckers and other
Chickadees) has a 4" by 4" floor, 9" inside ceiling, 1 1/4" diameter entrance
hole located 7" above the floor and ventilation openings.
Assemble with corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk
pilot holes. Hinged roof is secured with shutter hooks for easy access.
Mount nest box on a tree trunk or hang from a limb from chest level to just
out of reach, higher only if necessary.
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R. Bruce Horsfall |
Because Chickadees commonly nest in natural or abandon cavities, or
excavate their own cavities, a few chips on the nest box floor are
suitable. Remove the nest after the brood rearing seasons are over. Black-capped Chickadees are year around residents and might take advantage of northern
winter warming roosts.
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