Species · GBIF taxon 2487783
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Poecile rufescensAlso known as Chestnut Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are energetic, social songbirds that animate the damp conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest with their buzzy calls and acrobatic foraging. These tiny birds cling upside down to needle-laden branches, searching for hidden insects and seeds while maintaining constant contact with their flock mates. During the breeding season, they line their tree-cavity nests with a thick, warm layer of animal fur, often collected directly from sleeping mammals or carcasses.
ActiveForest DwellerVocal
- diet
- Insects, spiders, conifer seeds, and berries
- family
- Paridae
- threats
- Habitat loss from logging, domestic cat predation, and competition for nesting cavities
- life Span
- 2 to 7 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Listen for Buzzes: Look for them by listening for their distinctively high, buzzy call, which is higher and faster than other chickadees.
- Provide Suet and Seeds: Attract them to backyard feeders by offering high-quality suet, black oil sunflower seeds, or shelled peanuts.
- Leave Snags: Retain dead trees or install nest boxes with small entry holes to support their cavity-nesting habits.