Black-capped Chickadee

1/2000s at f8.0, ISO:1250, Canon EOS-1D X w/800mm, x 1.4 converter


The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, common songbird. The breeding habitat of the Black-capped Chickadee is mixed or deciduous woods in Canada, Alaska and the northern United States. They are permanent residents, but sometimes move south within their range in winter. These birds hop along tree branches searching for food, sometimes hanging upside down or hovering; they may make short flights to catch insects in the air. In summer, insects form a large part of their diet, seeds and berries become important in winter. Black oil sunflower seeds are quickly taken from an urban bird feeder. They sometimes hammer seeds on a tree or shrub to open them; they also will store seeds for later use. The Black-capped Chickadee nests in a hole in a tree; the pair excavates the nest, using a natural cavity or sometimes an old woodpecker nest. The clutch size is 5 to 10, incubation 11 to 13 days, days to fledge 14 to 18 days.
Boulder County, CO
 
08/13/2013