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Mountain Nature Network has become THE place for learning about the birds of the Canadian Rockies.
Boreal Chickadee
Poecile hudsonicus
Chickadees, Nuthatches and Creepers
Chickadee Family (Paridae)
Size: Length: 12.5-14 cm
Description: The boreal chickadee is a small bird with a brown crown,. Nape and back. The cheek is white and the throat black. The wings are dark, almost black when folded. The breast and belly are white with some chestnut along the sides
Similar Species: Mountain visitors need to be able to distinguish 4 different chickadees. The black-capped chickadee is the only one with an all black-cap, and a gray back. The mountain chickadee has a prominent white eyebrow line separating the black cap. The boreal chickadee trades in its black-cap for a brown one, and finally the chestnut-backed chickadee has a distinctively brown to chestnut coloured back and sides.
Range: Boreal chickadees are a bird of the northern forest. They are common throughout most of Canada, but only found through the northern United States. In the Rockies, they are common through the Canadian Rockies, as well as the northern U.S. Rockies. They become rare as you venture south of Montana and Idaho.
Habitat: Look for boreal chickadees primarily in coniferous woods, although they will forage in mixed wood forests.
Diet: They feed on insects, spiders and some conifer seeds. They will also visit bird feeders for the plentiful supply of seeds.
Nesting: Like other chickadees, they nest in cavities. They may use an existing cavity, or excavate their own in rotting wood. They build a small cup-shaped nest, into which 4-9 white, lightly speckled eggs are laid. Incubation is by the female, with the altricial and downy nestlings emerging after approximately 15 days.
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All Material © Ward Cameron 2005