Mountain Chickadee

Mountain Chickadee

NPS Photo/Keith Moore

 

Chickadees are a group of North American birds in the tit family included in the genus Poecile. They are small-sized birds overall, usually having the crown of the head and throat patch distinctly darker than the body. Although they are named after their calls, the chick-a-dee-dee-dee is actually their alarm call, with the number of "dees" dependent on the predator. More commonly you will hear their fee-bee call.

 

Mountain Chickadee

Poecile gambeli

Weight: 0.4 oz (11 g)
Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
Wingspan: 7.5 in (19 cm)

Identification

The Mountain Chickadee is a tiny bird with a large head, small bill, round belly, and a long tail. Black-and-white head with a white body and gray wings. The Mountain Chickadee is distinguished from other chickadees by the white stripe over its eye.

Behavior

Quick, acrobatic bird that flies from tree to tree and hangs upside down on pine cones. Juveniles spend time exploring on their own, but as winter approaches, they will join a group of adults that typically remain together throughout the season. Nest sites are usually in natural holes within trees or holes carved out by woodpeckers or nuthatches. Mountain chickadees will excavate their own holes in trees if the wood is soft enough.

Conservation

Widespread and common, but surveys show decline of population in some areas.

When and Where to See at Bryce

The Mountain Chickadee is a common bird throughout the park but they often remain in tall evergreen trees, making them difficult to see at times. They often fly together with other small bird species, so a cluster of birds is likely to contain Mountain Chickadees (except for during the nesting season).

Further Reading

Mountain Chickadee | Audubon Field Guide

Mountain Chickadee Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology