ExploreBirds

Boreal Chickadee

Poecile hudsonicus

The Boreal Chickadee is a small, cheerful bird with a black cap and a soft brown body. They love to flit around in trees and are often found in northern forests, singing sweet songs.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Boreal Chickadee has a distinct brown cap on its head and reddish-brown flanks, setting it apart from other chickadees. Its back is grey, and its cheeks are a clear white, creating a neat contrast with its darker cap.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyParidaeGenusPoecile
Boreal Chickadee
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Boreal Chickadee

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Boreal Chickadees often mate for life and stay together year-round!

Their fluffy feathers make them look bigger to trick predators!

They sometimes eat snow instead of flying to find water in winter!

They use specific alarm calls to warn others about different types of danger!

Special abilities

Ability

Cold Survivalist

Boreal Chickadee can lower its body temperature at night, a trick called torpor, that helps them survive freezing boreal winters.

Ability

Food Cache Master

Boreal Chickadees can hide thousands of seeds and insects, a skill that helps them find food when supplies are scarce.

Ability

Acrobatic Forager

Boreal Chickadees have strong feet and legs that help them cling upside down to branches while searching for tiny insects.

Ability

Cavity Excavator

Boreal Chickadees can dig out nesting holes in soft, rotting wood that helps them create safe nurseries for their chicks.

Measurements & details

Length
12.5-14 cm
Wingspan
19-22 cm
Weight
0.009-0.012 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
4-9
Incubation
14-16 days

Diet & Feeding

These tiny birds feast on insects, spiders, and conifer seeds, especially during the cold winter months!

Primary Foods

  • Conifer seeds
  • Insect larvae
  • Spiders
  • Caterpillars
  • Berries
  • Suet

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

A swift forest predator that actively hunts small birds like chickadees.

depends on

Black Spruce

Picea mariana

Relies on its cones for seeds and its dense branches for winter shelter.

eats

Spruce Budworm

Choristoneura fumiferana

Consumes larvae and pupae of this moth, helping to control its populations.

eaten by

Stoat

Mustela erminea

A cunning small mammal that can hunt birds even in their tree cavities.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Boreal Chickadee?

12.5-14 cm

What is Boreal Chickadee's wingspan?

19-22 cm

How much does Boreal Chickadee weigh?

0.009-0.012 kg

How long does Boreal Chickadee live?

2-5 years

How fast can Boreal Chickadee move?

55 km/h

What does Boreal Chickadee eat?

These tiny birds feast on insects, spiders, and conifer seeds, especially during the cold winter months!

Where is Boreal Chickadee usually found?

Forests

How does Boreal Chickadee hunt?

Foraging

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