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Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescensOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Titmice and Chickadees (Paridae)

Breeding Location:

Forests, coniferous, Forest edge



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Loose colonies



Breeding Population:

Fairly common to common



Egg Color:

White with sparse red brown marks



Number of Eggs:

5 - 9



Incubation Days:

11 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Moss lined with animal fur, feathers, and plant matter.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Small, energetic chickadee with chestnut-brown back, rump and flanks, and white breast and belly. Cap and throat are black; cheek patch is white. Wings and tail are dark. Legs and feet are gray-black. Song not whistled like other chickadees, more like a sparrow chipping.

Range and Habitat

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Resident from coastal Alaska south to central California; also in western ranges of the Rocky Mountains in southern British Columbia, southern Alberta, and western Montana. Preferred habitats are Pacific rain forest and moist areas containing conifers.

Breeding and Nesting

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Five to nine white eggs with sparse red brown marks are laid in a natural cavity or woodpecker hole. Often excavates a rotten stump and then builds nest of moss and hair inside. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Diet includes seeds, spiders, caterpillars, and other insects.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed

Vocalization

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Song is a steady "chip-chip-chip-chip." Call is a gruff and rapid "tseek-a-dee-dee."

Similar Species

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Black-capped and Mountain chickadees lack bright chestnut-brown back, rump, and sides.

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Family Titmice (Paridae)_blue
Species Poecile rufescens
Length4.75 Inches
Wingspan7 Inches

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Small, energetic chickadee with chestnut-brown back, rump and flanks, and white breast and belly. Cap and throat are black; cheek patch is white. Wings and tail are dark. Legs and feet are gray-black. Song not whistled like other chickadees, more like a sparrow chipping.

● Song: "chip-chip-chip-chip", "tseek-a-dee-dee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Diet includes seeds, spiders, caterpillars, and other insects.

● Breeding & nesting: Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Five to nine white eggs with sparse red brown marks are laid in a natural cavity or woodpecker hole. Often excavates a rotten stump and then builds nest of moss and hair inside. Incubation ranges from 11 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Black-capped and Mountain chickadees lack bright chestnut-brown back, rump, and sides.

Flight Pattern

Weak fluttering flights of short duration.
Chesnut-backed Chickadee Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Resident from coastal Alaska south to central California; also in western ranges of the Rocky Mountains in southern British Columbia, southern Alberta, and western Montana. Preferred habitats are Pacific rain forest and moist areas containing conifers.
BreedingMonogamous, Loose colonies
PopulationFairly common to common
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight0.3 Ounces