ExploreBirds

Mountain Chickadee

Poecile gambeli

The Mountain Chickadee is a small, cheerful bird with a black cap and white cheeks. They love to flit around trees and are known for their sweet, whistling calls that sound like 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee'.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Mountain Chickadee has a distinctive black cap and bib, contrasted by a prominent white eyebrow stripe. Its back and wings are grey, while its underside is mostly white with buffy flanks. This small, agile bird stands out with its bold head markings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyParidaeGenusPoecile
Mountain Chickadee
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Mountain Chickadee

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Mountain Chickadees can lower their body temperature at night to save precious energy.

Their 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee' call changes meaning based on the number of 'dees'.

They excavate their own nest cavities in rotten wood or natural tree holes!

They often join mixed-species bird flocks in winter for safety and easier foraging.

Special abilities

Ability

Cold Survivalist

Mountain Chickadee can puff up its feathers to trap insulating air, helping them stay warm in freezing mountain temperatures.

Ability

Acrobatic Forager

Mountain Chickadee has strong, agile feet that help it hang upside down to find hidden insects and seeds on branches.

Ability

Memory Master

Mountain Chickadee has an amazing memory that helps it recall where it has hidden thousands of seeds for winter meals.

Measurements & details

Length
13-15 cm
Wingspan
19-22 cm
Weight
0.01-0.014 kg
Lifespan
2-6 years
Top Speed
48 km/h
Clutch Size
5-9
Incubation
12-15 days

Diet & Feeding

A tiny bird that loves munching on insects and spiders, but also enjoys tasty seeds and berries!

Primary Foods

  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders
  • Aphids
  • Conifer Seeds
  • Berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Hunted by this agile, speedy forest hawk.

eaten by

Northern Pygmy-Owl

Glaucidium gnoma

A small owl that preys on chickadees.

depends on

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Relies on its seeds and tree cavities for nesting.

eats

Western Spruce Budworm

Choristoneura occidentalis

Consumes larvae of this common forest insect.

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 Mountain Chickadee?

13-15 cm

What is Mountain Chickadee's wingspan?

19-22 cm

How much does Mountain Chickadee weigh?

0.01-0.014 kg

How long does Mountain Chickadee live?

2-6 years

How fast can Mountain Chickadee move?

48 km/h

What does Mountain Chickadee eat?

A tiny bird that loves munching on insects and spiders, but also enjoys tasty seeds and berries!

Where is Mountain Chickadee usually found?

Mountain regions

How does Mountain Chickadee hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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