It wouldn’t be the first time that I tell you how much I like these little champions, I’m referring to the Carolina Chickadees. I do like them as permanent residents of my backyard, in fact, I’ve seen them nest for about ten years, this will tell you about how many generations they might be.
Their dynamism and determination to support their brood and other members of their flock make them extraordinary birds despite their small size. Here is some more important information you should know about them:
These birds hop along tree branches searching for insects, sometimes hanging upside down or hovering; they may make short flights to catch insects in the air. Insects form a large part of their diet, especially in summer; seeds and berries become important in winter. They sometimes hammer seeds on a tree or shrub to open them; they also will store seeds for later use.
During the fall migration and winter, chickadees often flock together. Many other species of birds, including titmice, nuthatches, and warblers can often be found foraging in these flocks. Mixed flocks stay together because the chickadees call out whenever they find a good source of food. This calling out forms cohesion for the group, allowing the other birds to find food more efficiently.
Carolina chickadees are able to lower their body temperatures to induce an intentional state of hypothermia called torpor. They do this to conserve energy during extremely cold winters. In extremely cold weather conditions they look for cavities where they can hide in and spend up to fifteen hours at a time in torpor; during this time they are awake but unresponsive; they should not be picked up and handled at this time, as the stress of being held may cause their death.
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101