A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity The Bird Lovers Forum Carolina Chickadee

Chickadee.

I just love that little bird.

THIS particular bird? Or the species of Carolina Chickadees in general?

THIS particular bird

I just saw THIS particular bird around my place last weekend. I was so proud. I googled it up and found out what it was. I was surprised when I saw it was a 'chickadee'. it didn't look like what I thought a cickadee was. are the chickadees the ones that lay eggs on the ground?

No, Chickadees build their nests in cavities like bluebirds. Chickadees are tiny brds. They are very feisty and bold. I call them the, "Teddy Bears" of the bird world.

Am I thinking about a killdee? are they the ones that lay eggs on the ground?

Yessir! Killdeer were originally shorebirds, members of the Plover family. with the advent of modern human structures, with their flat, gravel-covered roofs provide the PERFECT nesting habitat for them. Being up high with no easy access other than flying, they provide excellent protection from predators. Now, instead of being shorebirds, Killdeer have become parking lot, Shopping center birds.

Killdeer (didn't know there was an R at the end) made nest on the bldg next to us at my old job. it was a one story bldg with pebbble compost on the top. we would watch mamma coax them off the edge to teach them to fly. some of the babies would get nervous and stop short and fall into the gutter. mamma couldn't get them out and got crazy. we'd send one of the warehouse guys over in a fork lift to get the babies out. Much fun!

It can be either Killdee OR Killdeer. Most folks call them Killdeer.

I have the chickadees at my feeder. I love them.

I had 4 chickadees at my feeder this afternoon. I went to get my camera and they took off! I'm hoping tomorrow to get some pics. they are SO cute and active.

Cricket, look for Tufted Titmice at your feeders also. They LOVE to hang with the Chickadees. They are about the same size, but light gray with a crest, like a Cardinal or Blue Jay. They have the same habits and behavior and although they are a DIFFERENT species from Chickadees it appears that in some areas these two birds have interbred SUCCESSFULLY coming up with some interesting hybrids. They are quite cute, too. Do a Google Image Search to see pictures of a Tufted Titmouse.

funny you mentioned the titmouse. after the threads with the suet feed last week I went on tex.parks. and w.l. and looked at all the birds. saw the titmouse, I think I could id them if i saw one because of the crest like you said. I've been on the look out! my suet is falling apart. I gotta go back and look at some more reciepes. I have a tendency to tweek reciepes and maybe I shouldn't have in this case. anyway the chickadees have found it (along with the blasted squirrels) so I just put out the suet on the platform feeder and on the ground. they'll keep coming and sooner or later I'll figure out how to make the suet where it will hang in the trees and not fall apart.
those little chickadees have BLUE feet! SO cute!
the chickadees come here around 2pm each day, I'm gonna try and get a pic tomorrow!

I have never seen a real one then last week I was sitting on the deck and one came in and landed on the tree and was eating the food that the downy woodpecker hid for later. I thought it was preaty sneaky of him then the next night he came back. Wow after 9 years of being here in this house I just saw them this year!

Chckadees like Black Oil Sunflower seed in a tube feeder. They also like to eat suet in a cage.

I guess he's eating the suet the woody left. Smart little thing. I will try to get a pix. Ill take my camera out with me tonite.

my chickedees didn't come today. they usually come by around 2. I guess they knew I had my camera charged and out there with me!