Black-Capped Chickadee

Contributor

About

Scientific Name	Poecile atricapillus
Size	13-15 cm - about as small as a baseball
Preferred Habitat	Riparian woodland, aspen and poplar forest, urban to suburban areas, mixed forest and possibly your backyard.
Active Status	Common year round - often become more human-curious in the winter
Diet	Conifer seeds, insects, spiders, bird feed - They specifically enjoy sunflower seeds
Niche	Serves as a vector in spreading seed dispersal and food for larger predators.
Voice	Uses various of vocals to communicate. Most popular one being their signature "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call. They also have a song commonly heard that sounds like "cheeseburger" or "sweet baby".
Number Of Eggs	6-8 each clutch. Takes up to 13 days of incubation before hatching. They can be found in abandoned woodpecker nests or natural cavity with nests built out of the soft rotting wood, fur, feathers, grass, moss and cocoon remains.
General Reputation	:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
Friendliness	:star: :star: :star: :star:

The Black-Capped Chickadee is often the first bird species a young birder from America identifies. It's not hard to confuse them with other birds as their unique sounds and large head feather mass compared to their bodies give them out. They don't fear humans as much other birds.

They're from the titmouse family that makes up over 50 different species and subspecies around the globe.

Despite being seen as a simple bird species, the Black-Capped is anything but simple. These birds have territorial tendencies and vocalize in gurgles to defend their territories from other chickadees. The signature call of the bird is their way to keep in with individuals within their flock.