Carolina Chickadee

What do they look like?

The Carolina chickadee is a small, plump, small-billed bird with a distinctive black "cap" on the head and black "bib" on the throat, white cheeks and a gray body with a white belly.

Where are they found?

They are found throughout the southeastern United States in forests of all types, but they can also be found at backyard bird feeding stations. In Maryland, they range from the Eastern Shore to the foothills of Washington County.

What do they eat?

Carolina chickadees are mostly insectivorous which means they eat insects. However, they will also consume a variety of fleshy fruits, suet, berries, acorns, and seeds, especially sunflower seeds.

What other kinds of chickadees live in Maryland?

The black-capped chickadee is found in western Maryland from Washington County west. They are similar to the Carolina; however, the black-capped chickadee is slightly larger, has a conspicuous white patch on its wing, and has a different and distinctive call.

I didn't know that

Chickadees are cavity nesters. They raise their young in natural tree cavities which they enlarge to suit their needs. They will also use abandoned woodpecker cavities and man made nest boxes.

Drawing by: W.H. Henry