Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus) Y

RANGE: Resident from western and central Alaska, Saskatchewan, southern Quebec, and Newfoundland south to northwestern California, northeastern Nevada, central New Mexico, northeastern Oklahoma, central Indiana, and northern New Jersey, and in the Appalachians at higher elevations. Wanders irregularly south in winter.

STATUS: Common.

HABITAT: Prefers mixed woodlands but also inhabits deciduous and coniferous forests. Will inhabit dense woodlands to thickets, orchards, and urban areas, wherever suitable nesting cavities exist or can be excavated.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Comparatively open sites near deep woods, and dead standing trees larger than 4 inches dbh for nesting and feeding. Strongest nesting habitat association in (1) Douglas-fir-mixed deciduous forest, (2) Douglas-fir-white oak forest, (3) South coast mixed forest, (4) Urban and residential areas, (5) Woodland, and (6) Streamside wetland and shrubland.

NEST: Usually excavates own nest holes in soft decayed wood of a dead tree or branch stub; will use existing cavities of other birds or bird houses. Prefers to nest in tree species that occur in early seral stages such as aspen, paper birch, yellow birch, willow, basswood, maple, and white ash. Favors trees adjacent to open areas in forest or edge situations for nest sites. Generally roosts in dense foliage rather than cavities.

FOOD: Forages from the ground to the tree tops for a variety of insects, conifer seeds, and fruits.

REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Bailey and Niedrach 1965, Bent 1946, Brewer 1961, Forbush and May 1955, Johnsgard 1979, Martin et al. 1951, Miller 1999, Odum 1941a, 1941b, 1942, Shunk 2004, Thomas et al. 1979.