Boreal Chickadee

The Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) is a diminutive songbird, a member of the tit family Paridae. It is characterized by its grey-brown upperparts, a distinctive brown cap, and greyish wings and tail. The face is primarily grey with white accents, while the underparts are white with brown flanks and a striking black throat. This bird measures between 12.5 to 14.5 cm in length and weighs a mere 7 to 12.4 grams. It possesses a short dark bill, short wings, and a long notched tail, with a flight pattern that includes brief glides interspersed with rapid, bouncy wing beats.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Boreal Chickadee, look for its brown cap and black throat, which contrast with the grey face and white sides. The bird's notched tail and short wings are also key features. In flight, observe the alternating pattern of gliding and flapping.

Habitat

This species is at home in the boreal forests, a realm of coniferous trees stretching across Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States.

Distribution

The Boreal Chickadee is a year-round resident of its boreal forest range, with occasional winter movements to the south becoming increasingly rare.

Behaviour

Boreal Chickadees are known to form monogamous pairs that may last a lifetime, staying within their breeding range throughout the year. They exhibit complex vocal communications and engage in food storage behaviors to prepare for the harsh winter months.

Song & Calls

The Boreal Chickadee's vocal repertoire includes a husky "tsee-day-day" and a high-pitched trill, "dididididididi," which varies in note-type categories. These calls serve various purposes, from mating displays to territorial defense.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in coniferous woods, with the season stretching from early May to the end of August. Nests are typically excavated holes in trees, lined with hair, fur, or dead plants. Clutches consist of five to seven white eggs, speckled with fine reddish-brown spots.

Diet and Feeding

These birds glean insects from conifer branches and bark and forage for conifer seeds, which they may store in preparation for winter. They forage primarily in black spruce, white spruce, and tamarack trees, often in small flocks that may include other small bird species.

Conservation status

The Boreal Chickadee is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, it faces threats from clearcutting and logging practices that reduce mature forest habitats in boreal regions.

Similar Species

The Boreal Chickadee can be distinguished from similar species by its brown cap, black throat, and the specific habitat it occupies, which differs from the habitats preferred by other chickadees.

Predators

Predators of the Boreal Chickadee include small owls, hawks, shrikes, and various tree-climbing mammals that may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Taxonomy

Formerly classified within the genus Parus, the Boreal Chickadee is now placed in the genus Poecile, reflecting more accurately its evolutionary relationships. It is closely related to the Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens).