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Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
At-a-Glance
• Peak Breeding Activity: April
• Incubation: 11-12 days
• Clutch Size: 5-8 eggs
• Young Fledge: 13-17 days after hatching
• Typical Foods: insects, seeds, and fruits
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Description
Chickadees are small gray birds with distinct black caps and throats and white cheeks.
Habitat and Habits
This chickadee is a common permanent resident. It is a very active, agile bird as it searches for tree limbs and shrubs for insects, larvae, and eggs. Easily attracted to feeders, they can readily be taught to eat from the hand. Habitat is deciduous woods or residential areas, where they nest in hollow stumps or snags, old woodpecker dens, or in nesting boxes. The song is a four parted whistle, fee-bee, fee-bay, and their calls - chik-a-dee-dee-dee - are faster than the black-capped chickadee's and not nearly so husky in tone.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Chickadees nest in tree cavities or birdhouses. Females build the nest with downy feathers and soft plant materials. Both the male and female feed the young when hatched, but only the female incubates the eggs. |
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