Day 3: Carolina Chickadee

Today was my first day back to work after the holidays, so no great birding adventures. It was also SUPER cold, so I limited my outdoor activities to frantically running to and from my car.

I have a cute little bird for you today that we can see year-round here in Maryland - the Carolina Chickadee. This is a very common bird - when I walk out on my porch, it usually doesn't take me long to hear or see one.

From our porch

If you live from eastern Texas to Florida and Pennsylvania, you've most certainly seen a Carolina Chickadee at some point. You can identify a Carolina Chickadee by its distinct black cap and bib, with bright white side patches on the face.

I've noticed that Carolina Chickadees are very curious. When we're out for a walk or hike, Jared often makes a birder's "psshing" sound, which is supposed to catch the attention of birds close by. Inevitably, a bunch of Carolina Chickadees swoop in, intent on discovering the source of the disturbance (and are probably disappointed when they just see us).

From our porch - action shot

In western Maryland, it's possible to see a different species, the Black-capped Chickadee, which strongly resembles the Carolina Chickadee. If you look at a distribution map for a Carolina Chickadee, there is a gap in the range at high altitudes in the Appalachian Mountains where they are replaced by the otherwise more northern relative, the Black-capped. If I'm lucky, there will be another post later about the Black-capped Chickadee.

Fun fact: Chickadee is actually an onomatopoeia! The call of a Carolina Chickadee sounds just like its name: chick-a-dee-dee-dee.