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| Black-capped Chickadee |
Easily attracted to feeders with a variety of seeds and suets, the Black-capped Chickadee's quick movements often make them a tough target to shoot with a camera. The photo taken here is one of very few images I have of a Black-capped Chickadee that isn't just a blur of feathers.
Getting chickadees to utilize a nesting box takes a minimum of effort. A box with a 1-1/8" hole is large enough for chickadees, yet small enough to keep out the more aggressive House Sparrow. I have had the opportunity to witness the raising of several clutches of chickadees in the nesting box located right on my back deck. The amount of energy exerted by both of the parents in feeding their hungry nestlings is truly entertaining, and I am often exhausted just watching them. The number of insects that can be consumed in just a few minutes of observation is simply amazing.
Every season here in Southeastern Wisconsin I am guaranteed to see and hear these pint-sized favorites. In most cases, chickadees mate for life, with the male chickadee starting his breeding calls as early as mid January, as they start exploring nesting sites early. This sweet sound is very welcome during the cold, silent months of winter. Black-capped Chickadee Calls
Not only are these birds well suited for surviving harsh winters, but recent studies have shown that chickadees in northern climates actually have the ability to grow more brain cells during the cold months. This added brain power allows chickadees to find the stash of seeds they stored away prior to the beginning of winter. Chickadee brains in winter
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Black-capped Chickadee Watercolor Image - Belinda Abendschein |
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