Carolina chickadee
The Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) is a very common, small bird found in Alabama. It was named by John James Audubon.
Physical characteristics
The Carolina chickadee is a round-shaped small bird with a distinctive black cap and chin separated by a white cheek stripe. The wings, tail, and back are a light gray while the belly is whitish. The length of this bird ranges from 3.9-4.7", wingspan 5.9-7.9", and weighs approximately 0.4oz. There is no sexual dimorphism in this species, as the females and males look the same.
Natural history
The Carolina chickadee is known for its distinctive songs: "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" and "fee-bee-fee-bay", but when interbred with its near cousin, the black-capped chickadee, the hybrid bird can sing the song of either species, or something in between. They are found year around in the eastern United States.
Carolina chickadees are usual in the same locations as their cousins, the Tufted titmouse, and are often seen together. During the winter and migration times, other native birds will congregate around flocks of chickadees and titmice, such as the Downy woodpecker, the Hairy woodpecker, and several species of nuthatches, such as the Brown-headed nuthatch. However, the Carolina chickadee and the Tufted titmouse will often dominate these mixed species flocks.
Carolina chickadees are omnivorous and in winter they will eat about half plant matter and half animal matter, however in summer their main diet predominantly consists of insects. They can be found hanging upside down on twigs and branches, looking for insects on the undersides of tree leaves.
Chickadees will pair bond with each other for several years, and will lay a clutch of 3-10 eggs, which will hatch after 15 days. Their young are altricial,meaning the young are almost completely helpless after hatching.
Conservation status
The Carolina chickadee is listed as a species of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning that their populations are stable and under no immediate threat.
References
- Wilson, Jim and Anselm Atkins (2002) Common Birds of Birmingham 2nd edition. Decatur, Georgia: Hexagon Publishers ISBN 096672402X
- "Carolina Chickadee" [1] All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology