Boreal Chickadee (Carmacks BioBlitz)

Boreal Chickadee

Poecile hudsonicus

Summary ⁴

Very similar to the Gray-headed Chickadee in size (14cm/5.5in) and colouration except they have a white cheek and grey nape, have greyer wings that don't have white tips and browner flanks.

Sibley, D. A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds., Andrew Steward Publishing, Inc, Toronto.

Behavior ⁵

Their breeding habitat is coniferous woods in Canada, Alaska, and the northern edges of the lower forty-eight United States. They remain within their breeding range throughout the year, but sometimes move south in winter. Winter movements south of their range, however, appear to have become increasingly rare. They nest in a hole in a tree; the pair excavates the nest, using a natural cavity or sometimes an old woodpecker nest. Five to seven eggs are laid, white with fine reddish-brown spotting. The pair remains together year round and may mate for life.

These birds forage on conifer branches or probe into the bark, eating mainly insects and seeds, which may be stored for later use. They often forage in small flocks including other small birds, especially in winter.