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Black-capped Chickadee Nesting Behaviors


Sweet and lively, the Black-capped Chickadee is a favorite amongst birders. There are seven known species of chickadee in North America; the Black-capped, Boreal, Carolina, Chestnut-backed, Gray-headed, Mountain and the Mexican Chickadee. 

As the Black-capped Chickadee is the most common and widespread of these species, we have been able to observe and learn a lot about it’s nesting behaviors.

A Nestbox Being Used By a Chickadee
Image by Wesley Barr via Flickr.

The Black-capped Chickadee are one of those rare birds that seem to be as intrigued by their human observers as the humans are by them. With their curious bravery, they will fly to a nearby branch to “inspect” the human inspecting them. For this reason and many others, they are a delight to witness in the wild and the backyard. 

If you thought they were full of character already, just wait to hear about their nesting habits. But, before we dive into the nesting behaviors of Black-capped Chickadees, let’s familiarize ourselves a bit more with this beloved little bird. 

Overview of the Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is a small and noisy bird. It’s safe to say that it could be one of the cutest birds in North America due to its tiny round body and head.

Their common name describes the black cap on their head, but they also have a black bib and white cheeks. A Black-capped Chickadee has a white belly with subtle tan feathers on either side, a grey back, and grey and black wings and tail marked with white streaks. 

Black-capped Chickadee Close Up
Image by Mike Nolen via Flickr.

Their year-round range extends across the northern United States, from Oregon to New York. The furthest south their range extends is Colorado and northern New Mexico. Black-capped Chickadees avoid desert areas as they depend on shrubs and trees for food and shelter. They are found throughout most of Canada, except the far north. 

Black-capped Chickadees are found in most areas with trees and shrubs. They are incredibly easy to attract to a bird feeder, as they thoroughly investigate their surroundings wherever they are. They aren’t picky about their food and will enjoy backyard songbird feed, sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts. 

Black-capped Chickadee Nesting Behaviors

In the fall, Black-capped Chickadee find their pair for the following breeding season. They stay together in a winter flock comprised of other chickadees as well as nuthatches, creepers, warblers, woodpeckers, and vireos. 

In late winter, the flock breaks up and pairs search for nesting territory. The male feeds the female in a courtship display. Both search for a proper nesting cavity, and can choose up to five different nest sites. The female usually selects the final nesting site. Once a nest site is found, both the male and female defend the nesting site.

As cavity nesters, the Black-capped Chickadee will nest in excavated woodpecker holes or nest boxes. However, they often prefer to excavate their own nest by enlarging a small natural cavity in rotten alder or birch wood. Both sexes will participate in the excavation process. 

Chickadee Excavates a Nesting Site
Image by nickinthegarden via Flickr.

Pro tip: If you wish to attract a Black-capped Chickadee breeding pair to your nestbox, consider filling your nestbox with wood shavings. As they prefer to excavate their nest cavity, this will entice them to select your nestbox. 

You’ll also want to put your nestbox up before breeding season, around mid to late winter. Place your nestbox in a wooded area if you wish to discourage wrens from nesting in it. CornellLab’s ‘All About Birds’ recommends at least 60 feet into a wooded area. 

Nest Construction 

Once the female Black-capped Chickadee selects a properly excavated nest site, she will construct a cup nest. The nest is usually several inches below the entrance to protect the eggs and nestlings from predators such as possums, squirrels, and raccoons. 

The nest is made with inner tree bark, moss, grass, and other fine materials. The final layer where the eggs are laid is lined with soft animal fur. This last layer of animal fur helps to keep the eggs warm and provides a comfortable place for the female to incubate her eggs. 

Eggs 

A female Black-capped Chickadee lays an average of 6-8 eggs. She will lay one egg daily and can lay up to 13 eggs in one clutch. The eggs are small (about 1.5 cm long and 1.2cm wide) and white with subtle reddish-brown dots. Black-capped Chickadees only lay one brood per year. 

A chickadee nest with six eggs.
Image by Laura Erickson via Flickr.

After the last or second to last egg is laid, the female incubates the eggs for about 12-13 days. She develops a brood patch by losing feathers on her breast. This soft and warm brood patch covers the eggs, helping to keep them warm during incubation. The male brings food to the female while she incubates the eggs. 

Whenever the female Black-capped Chickadee leaves the nest, she covers the eggs with animal fur. This is probably to keep them warm and hidden from predators. 

Nestlings 

Black-capped Chickadees are born naked and blind (known as altricial). After a few days, they start developing feathers and can open their eyes around day 9. Their distinct black and white feathers grow in by day 11 (give or take). 

Black-capped Chickadee Nestlings
Image by CalebPond via Flickr.

During the first few days, the female spends much of her time in the nest keeping her nestlings warm. The male will bring both her and the young food. She gradually starts spending more time away from the nest, returning with food for the nestlings. 

The Black-capped Chickadee nestlings are fed a protein-rich diet of fresh insects. Both the male and female keep the nest clean by removing the nestling’s fecal sacks. 

Fledging 

Black-capped Chickadees fledge the nest after about 12-16 days. At this point, they closely resemble their parents. They start to hover and perch at the nest entrance, eager to explore the world outside. 

They leave the nest one by one and fly to nearby branches. At this point, they can only fly short distances and entirely depend on their parents for food. After about two weeks, the Black-capped Chickadee fledglings gain enough experience to find food independently and no longer need their parents.  

Now it’s time for them to start a life away from their parents. The parents will purposely leave the fledglings if the young chickadees haven’t moved off on their own. By springtime the following year, the fledglings will be fully mature adults preparing a nest site of their own. 

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2 replies on “Black-capped Chickadee Nesting Behaviors”

FYI – Black capped Chickadees also live much further South than your article states. I live in Mississippi and have watched them here ever since I was a child. My grandmother taught me about birds and the Chickadee was one of the first I learned about.

We have window feeders in the kitchen. What great entertainment for retired folks.The Chickadees are fun, Summer and winter. We are generous with bird seed year round Suet in winter. They love sunflower seeds. One bird in particular will hold a seed in those tiny feet against the perch, peck into the shell and come up with a tasty morsel ! We love Nest Box Live and will keep tuned in.

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