Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Greg Gillson
Cute and active, everyone in the northern half of the United States wants Black-capped Chickadees at their feeder!
How do you attract Black-capped Chickadees to your bird feeder? Follow these suggestions to attract Black-capped Chickadees to your yard.
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| Black-capped Chickadee. Greg Gillson |
Why attract Black-capped Chickadees to your bird feeder?
Black-capped Chickadees are friendly and mannerly birds at the feeder. They are not aggressive and don’t chase off other birds.
They come to the feeder and take seed one-at-a-time. They fly off and eat the seeds away from the feeder and other more rambunctious birds. Thus, Black-capped Chickadees don’t make a mess at the feeder, as do some other birds.
These birds don’t form large flocks. They stay in family groups throughout the year. So, they won’t overwhelm the feeder or quickly eat up all the seed.
For all these reasons and more, people who feed birds love Black-capped Chickadees at their feeder!
What foods will attract Black-capped Chickadees to your feeder?
Black-capped Chickadees will eat several items at your feeder.
They like black oil sunflower seeds best of all. They’ll keep coming back to the feeder all day for these seeds. The best prices seem to be at farm stores.
You may see chickadees at your mixed bird seed. But they’re probably picking out the sunflower seeds.
If you are looking for an excellent mixed bird seed that attracts both chickadees and native sparrows, I recommend Wagner’s Songbird Supreme. It is more than half sunflower seeds, both in and out of the shell. Chickadees will love it.
Black-capped Chickadees also like peanuts and peanut butter (look for brands with no added salt or sugar). Look for items called Bark Butter, or suet balls.
Chickadees also eat suet, especially in winter. I always purchase St Albans Bay Suet blocks. It comes in several flavors, including peanut. They fit in suet feeders (below).
What kind of feeders do Black-capped Chickadees like?
All chickadees are fairly skittish at feeders. They may wait to come until the larger and more aggressive birds are done eating.
The best way to feed Black-capped Chickadees is by offering black oil sunflower seed from a tube feeder.
Tube feeders are favorite feeders for finches, goldfinches, nuthatches, and chickadees. Larger birds (sparrows, doves, starlings) have a harder time perching on these. Make sure that these tube feeders do NOT have a tray at the bottom. Otherwise, larger birds will have a platform on which to perch and keep the feeders all to themselves.
Chickadees also love suet, as mentioned earlier. However, sometimes starlings and jays can take over a suet cage and keep smaller birds away. That’s when an upside-down suet feeder comes in handy. Jays, blackbirds, and starlings are thwarted, but chickadees, wrens, nuthatches, and woodpeckers can feed with ease.
I bought a Nature’s Way Upside-down suet feeder years ago and have been very happy with it.
Where to place your bird feeder for Black-capped Chickadees
Black-capped Chickadees are timid around larger and more aggressive birds. Set up a tube feeder with sunflower seeds away from the main feeding station so they are more comfortable.
Likewise, since they are so small and vulnerable, think about their safety. Set up the chickadee feeding station near a bush or hedge. That way, if danger comes, they can dive into cover and hide.
Another fun option is to attract chickadees to window feeders. Larger birds are usually more wary of these feeders that attach to your windows. But the chickadees won’t mind at all.
Here’s a page of bird window feeder. I don’t have any recommendations for you. But read the size and reviews carefully (all the birds shown on the feeders are Photoshopped in, making the feeders look larger than they really are).
How else can you attract Black-capped Chickadees to your yard?
You may notice that Black-capped Chickadees stop coming to your feeders in spring and summer. That is because they are nesting and raising young! The young need insect food for protein.
You might try offering live mealworms. Recently I wrote an article on feeding birds mealworms (link at end of this article).
Black-capped Chickadees will appreciate native bushes and trees, like birch and willow.
They also come to bird baths–both in summer and winter.
Problems with Black-capped Chickadees: If you have attracted too many to your feeder
Most people would say you can never have too many Black-capped Chickadees at your feeder.
However, in the fall of the year you may notice that the chickadees are visiting more often than usual.
That is because they are taking seeds away and hiding them. They are caching them away in bark crevices and holes, perhaps even burying them. They are storing the seeds to retrieve later in the winter when food supplies are low.
If this seems to be the case, feed only enough seeds so that the feeders go empty in late morning. That way there is food for all, but not so much they start storing it away.
Wrapping Up
There are many reasons why people love the Black-capped Chickadee! Here are just a few of the most common:
Adorable Appearance:
- Tiny and fluffy: Their small size (4-5 inches) and puffy plumage give them a cute and endearing appearance.
- Distinctive markings: Their black cap, bib, and white cheeks make them easily recognizable, even for beginner birdwatchers.
- Expressive eyes: Their bright, inquisitive eyes and constant movement captivate observers and add to their charm.
Lively and Active Behavior:
- Always on the go: They flit about trees and branches with remarkable agility, adding dynamic energy to their environment.
- Curious and inquisitive: They often peek around branches and investigate their surroundings with a sense of wonder, making them fun to watch.
- Vocal and communicative: Their cheerful “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” calls and other vocalizations create a delightful soundscape and showcase their lively personalities.
Accessibility and Ease of Observation:
- Widespread distribution: Found throughout most of North America, they are readily encountered in various habitats like woodlands, parks, and backyards.
- Adaptable and comfortable around humans: They readily visit feeders for suet and seeds, allowing for close observation and fostering human connection.
- Year-round residents: Unlike migratory birds, they are present throughout the year, offering consistent opportunities for observation and enjoyment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Black-capped Chickadees found?
Black-capped Chickadees are widespread and easily encountered throughout much of North America. Here’s a breakdown of their distribution:
Range:
- Northern United States: They are common across most of the northern states, reaching as far north as Alaska and southern Canada.
- Southern United States: Their range extends down through the Appalachian Mountains into northern Georgia and Alabama.
- Western United States: They are found in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin regions, reaching south into New Mexico and Arizona.
Habitat:
- Prefer deciduous and mixed forests: They favor woodlands with plenty of trees, particularly those with dead or decaying branches where they can find food and nesting sites.
- Adaptable to various habitats: They can also be found in parks, gardens, yards with mature trees, and even urban areas with suitable green spaces.
What is the difference between a Carolina and Black-capped Chickadee?
Both Carolina and Black-capped Chickadees are adorable and familiar songbirds found in North America, but they do have some distinct differences. Here’s a breakdown to help you tell them apart:
Range:
- Carolina Chickadee: Primarily found in the eastern half of the United States, ranging from southern Maine to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma.
- Black-capped Chickadee: Found in the northern and western portions of the United States and southern Canada, ranging from Alaska to California and east to the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Appearance:
- Carolina Chickadee: Slightly larger than the Black-capped Chickadee, with a grayer nape and back, less white edging on the wing feathers, and a faint wash of brown on the flanks.
- Black-capped Chickadee: Smaller with a crisper black cap and bib, brighter white cheeks, and more extensive white edging on the wing feathers.
Vocalizations:
- Carolina Chickadee: Higher-pitched “chick-a-dee-dee” call with more notes and faster delivery.
- Black-capped Chickadee: Lower-pitched “chick-a-dee-dee” call with fewer notes and slower delivery.
Habitat:
- Carolina Chickadee: Prefers mature deciduous and mixed forests, but also found in swamps, parks, and even backyards with trees.
- Black-capped Chickadee: Prefers coniferous and mixed forests, often found in higher elevations and mountain ranges.
What bird looks like a chickadee but isn’t?
There are several bird species that share some similarities with chickadees in appearance or behavior, but aren’t actually chickadees themselves. Here are a few examples:
Tufted Titmouse:
- Slightly larger than a chickadee with a distinctive crest on its head.
- Similar black, white, and gray markings, but lacks the bib and has a more rounded body shape.
- Found in similar habitats, often seen at feeders alongside chickadees.
- Has a slower, whistled “peter-peter-peter” call.
Bushtit:
- Smaller than a chickadee with a long, slender tail and fluffy plumage.
- Grayish-brown overall, with faint wingbars and a white eye ring.
- Usually found in flocks, flitting about in bushes and trees.
- Has a high-pitched, warbling song and frequently calls “psit.”
Brown-headed Nuthatch:
- Similar size to a chickadee but with a brown head and back, white underparts, and a long, pointed bill.
- Often seen climbing down tree trunks headfirst, unlike chickadees who hop around branches.
- Has a distinctive nasal “ank-ank” call.
Black-crested Titmouse:
- Found in the western US and similar size to a chickadee.
- Black crest, gray back, and white underparts distinguish it from chickadees.
- Prefers coniferous forests and mountains.
- Has a loud, whistled “pee-dee-dee” call.
Verdin:
- Found in the southwestern US and smaller than a chickadee.
- Yellowish-green plumage with a long, thin bill and a pointed crest.
- Found in desert scrub and arid habitats.
- Has a high-pitched, warbling song and a sharp “cheet” call.
Related Articles:
Why aren’t birds coming to your feeder?
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Next in series: Irresistible! Attract White-breasted Nuthatches to your feeder
