Carolina Chickadee

The Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) is a diminutive passerine, a member of the tit family Paridae. Adults measure between 11.5 to 13 cm in length and weigh between 9 to 12 grams. They are characterized by a distinctive black cap and bib, with white cheeks framing their face. The underparts are predominantly white, with a touch of rusty brown along the flanks, and a grey back. Their bill is short and dark, wings are short, and the tail is moderately long.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing the Carolina chickadee from its close relative, the black-capped chickadee, can be quite challenging. The Carolina chickadee has a slightly browner wing, with greater coverts that are brown without the whitish fringe seen in the black-capped chickadee. The white fringing on the secondary feathers is less conspicuous, and the tail is shorter and more square-ended. Without the aid of their calls, even an excellent view may not suffice to differentiate the two species.

Habitat

The Carolina chickadee favors mixed or deciduous forests as its breeding habitat. These birds are adept at navigating the dense foliage of these woodlands.

Distribution

This species is indigenous to the United States, with a range extending from New Jersey and Pennsylvania westward to southern Kansas, and southward to Florida and Texas. Notably, there is an absence in their distribution at higher altitudes within the Appalachian Mountains, where the black-capped chickadee takes precedence.

Behaviour

Carolina chickadees are known to form flocks during the fall migration and winter, typically consisting of 8 to 10 birds. These flocks exhibit a hierarchical structure, influencing breeding territory. They are also known to sleep in cavities, with different members of a flock often sharing the same cavity across consecutive nights.

Song & Calls

The Carolina chickadee's vocalizations include a rapid and high-pitched chick-a-dee call and a distinctive four-note fee-bee-fee-bay song. The chick-a-dee call is faster and higher pitched than that of the black-capped chickadee, and the song differs by including high notes that the black-capped omits.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in tree holes, with the pair either excavating a new nest or utilizing an existing natural cavity or old woodpecker nest. The female constructs the nest from moss and bark strips, lining it with hair or plant fibers. Clutches typically contain 3 to 10 eggs, which are incubated for 12 to 16 days. The nestling period spans 16 to 19 days.

Diet and Feeding

Carolina chickadees are insectivorous, especially during the summer months. They forage by hopping along tree branches, occasionally hanging upside down or hovering, and may even catch insects mid-air. In winter, seeds and berries become more important in their diet. They are known to store seeds for later consumption and are frequent visitors to feeders.

Conservation status

The Carolina chickadee is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant threats at this time.

Temperature regulation

In response to cold winters, Carolina chickadees can lower their body temperature to enter a state of torpor, conserving energy. They seek shelter in cavities and can spend up to fifteen hours in this state, during which they are awake but unresponsive. It is crucial not to disturb these birds during torpor, as the stress can be fatal.