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Carolina
Chickadee
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
Species: carolinensis
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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. carolinensis for the
Carolina Colonies
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Four inches or a little longer. Top of head and throat black. Sides of
head and neck white. White underside. Gray wings, back and tail. |
Inhabits forests, groves, and other wooded areas near ponds, marshes, and
swamps and on farms and in towns throughout the southeastern U.S. from
Kansas to New Jersey in the North to the Gulf States from Texas to
Florida.
Builds nests of fine grass, feathers and hair usually in abandon or
natural cavities or excavates its own in older trees or bird houses from
within reach up to fifteen feet.
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.
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Forages for insects, their eggs and larva, seeds and fruit in small
flocks with nuthatches and titmice and Black-capped Chickadees where
their ranges overlap. |
R. Bruce Horsfall |
Eats insects, seeds and fruit. Will frequent feeders and nest in bird houses.
Feed Chickadees sunflower seeds, nyjer (thistle seeds) and suet.
The Carolina Chickadee birdhouse plans (same as for
Nuthatches,
Titmice,
Downy Woodpecker 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.
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Assembled 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. Because Chickadees commonly nest in natural
or abandon cavities, or excavate their own cavities, a few chips on the nest box
floor are fitting. Remove the nest after the brood rearing seasons are over.
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Carolina Chickadee Nestbox
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