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Carolina Chickadee
(Parus carolinensis)
Banded October 1, 1997 - Carmel, Indiana
General Information
The Carolina Chickadee is one of the 7 chickadee species that occurs in
North America. This species is found in the southeastern USA. Its range adjoins and in
some areas overlaps that of the more northerly Black-capped Chickadee found in the
northern USA, Canada and Alaska. Where the ranges of these two species overlap, some
hybridization does occur. Here in Indiana, the Black-capped occurs in the northern region
of the State, and the Carolina Chickadee occurs in the southern portions of the State. The
boundary for the two species runs roughly SW to NE across the northern part of the State.
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The black cap and bib on white
cheeks are a sure field mark of the Chickadee. Banding studies here at Chipper Woods show
that individuals of this species are resident year round. |
Figure 1 - Carolina Chickadee
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Figure 2 - Carolina Chickadee
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Carolina Chickadees are popular with backyard
bird feeding enthusiasts. They are omnivorous with a diet consisting of seeds of ragweed,
mulberry, pine, redbud and sunflowers, and of insects such as aphids, treehoppers, ants,
bees and others. |
Sexes are similar. Pairs remain mated for
long periods that may last over two or more nesting seasons. Banding studies show that the
Chickadee may live more than 10 years. |
Figure 3 - Carolina Chickadee
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Figure 4 - Carolina Chickadee
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These birds are cavity nesters. See the
section on Nesting Behavior below for details. |
The Carolina Chickadee lacks the broad white
edging on the secondary flight feathers that is found on the Black-capped Chickadee. |
Figure 5 - Upper Wing
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Figure 6 - Upperwing Coverts
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Tertials and greater coverts also lack the
broad white edging found in the Black-capped Chickadee. |
Perhaps the easiest way to separate the
Black-capped from the Carolina Chickadee is by the song. The Black-capped song is two or
sometimes three notes (fee-bee). The Carolina’s song is four notes (fee-bee,
fee-bay).
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Figure 7 - Primary Flight Feathers
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Figure 8 - Underwing Coverts
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The flanks are gray to brownish gray. |
In the hand, especially in areas where
hybrids occur, the wing chord and tail measurements are useful to separate these two
species. Black-caps generally have a longer tail and longer wing cord. |
Figure 9 - Tail Feathers
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Nesting Behavior
These birds are cavity nesters. A woodpecker cavity, nest box or other suitable cavity
may be used. In decayed wood, both parents may excavate their own cavity. The female
incubates from 5 to as many as 8 eggs that hatch in about 2 weeks. Both parents care for
the young that leave the nest in about two and a half weeks.
Banding Recoveries
According to records at the Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel, MD, a total of 70,334
Carolina Chickadees have been banded since 1955. Of these, 1,481 have been recovered, a
recovery rate of 2.10%.
Conservation Status
Populations of Carolina Chickadees are declining in many parts of its range. In other
areas, however, populations seem to be increasing. The popularity of this species with
back yard feeding enthusiasts no doubt helps to increase local populations. They readily
come to feeders to take sunflower seeds, suet and other items. They are attractive,
intelligent, vocal birds, and their antics make them delightful to observe. As with other
cavity nesters, however, the removal of dead and dying trees reduces the number of
available nesting sites and has a negative impact on populations sizes.
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Any use of these images must have permission of CWBO. |
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