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Chickadees
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There are seven species of Chickadee in North America. The Carolina
Chickadee is so similar to the Black-capped Chickadee they can be
difficult to separate and, where their ranges overlap, can create
hybrids. The most obvious difference between them is their songs;
Black-capped sings a two note song, Carolina sings a four note song, and
hybrids sing a three note song.
Pairing occurs in the fall, with eggs being laid some time between April and early July (depending on the location). The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs, which can be left unattended for short periods, while the male brings her food. Both parents care for the young which leave the nest in about two and a half weeks. Black-capped chickadees feed on both animals and plants (the overall consumption has been measured to be about 70% animal and 30% plant). Animal foods consist mainly of insects and spiders. Caterpillars are preferred in the breeding season. Chickadees have been observed eating deer or skunk fat and fish. Plant materials eaten by the chickadee include honeysuckle and blackberries, seeds from hemlocks, and wax-covered berries such as those of poison ivy and bayberry.
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