Saturday, December 26, 2015

Chickadee-dee-dee

Chickadee on cattail

This was a first for me - a chickadee eating cattail seeds...or perhaps looking for tasty insects or collecting fluff for its nest.

During the summer months, chickadees eat animal protein such as insects and ticks. When I learned they ate ticks - including the kind that carry Lyme disease - I decided they would be very welcome in my gardens!

 Chickadee on red-osier dogwood

During the winter months, though, they eat seeds when they cannot find insects. Although they don't migrate, they do gather in flocks during cold weather - mostly with other chickadees but they are fine with other small birds joining in too. In fact, migrating birds are known to spend time on stopovers with them. which is great if you want a variety of birds at your feeders.

Two hungry chickadees

I am linking to  Saturday Critters HERE.

34 comments:

Nancy Chan said...

These chickadees are really cute and I too would welcome them into my garden if we have them here.

Giga said...

Interesting information about these cute sikorkach. They had to be very hungry and at the same time bold, because in August decided to eat from your hand. Regards.

Tom said...

Your last image is up close and personal.

eileeninmd said...

Good morning, great post on the Chickadees. I would love to hand feed the birds. Great photos. Thank you for linking this post and sharing your critter! Have a happy weekend!

William Kendall said...

They are such pretty birds.

Donna said...

Adorable. I have never seen them on the cattails but they do eat other seeds around the garden and they love our suet.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Chickadees are a favourite backyard bird and I didn't realize they eat nasty ticks. One of the heroes in our garden!

Lea said...

Beautiful little birds!

Gayle said...

Didn't know they ate ticks---good news. Very nice photos.

Cloudia said...

really sweet pics and post.







Warm ALOHA to You,
ComfortSpiral

VP said...

Lovely birds, amazing shots!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

They're my favorite. Always make me go..

'Squeeeeeeee. I've got a chickadee on the feeder!'

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

We had Chestnut-backed Chickadees where we used to live and they would eat from my hand. Where we live now I haven't seen them so I have lost that thrill.

Debbie said...

awesome captures of the chickadee's they are just the cutest!! i would love to be able to hand feed them some day!!!!

Unknown said...

How beautiful! Amazing captures.

Nefertiti said...

Superbe !

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I didn't know they ate ticks...I need to try another feeder! I have horrible luck with them because of the cow birds that are so piggy.

Small City Scenes said...

One of my favorite little birds. They flock to our feeders all year-round. We also have the Chestnut-backed Chick-a Dee which is just as cute. They inter mingle at our feeders with the Black capped Junco. You have some neat pictures.
MB

Taken For Granted said...

Our black capped chickadees hang out with the nuthatches. If you see one of these birds, the other is not far away.

MadSnapper said...

has to be thrilling when they land on your hand. that second little pudgy one if my favorite and i want to know why round and fat is adorable on him but not on ME

Maks said...

I love these birds! You made fantastic shots! I greet! :)

D said...

Love the chickadees_ black-capped and chestnut-backed and especially love them eating out of your hand. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a blessed and healthy New Year

Revrunner said...

Gosh! I've never known them to eat from your hand.

Lowell said...

They are quite beautiful. I think we need a chickadee promotion and conservation program, especially if they eat the buggers that cause Lyme disease! That last shot is superb!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful images! I just refilled my feeders, so we'll see who shows up now that we've had snow (and more on the way).

Cathy H. said...

Beautiful! Nothing makes me happier than to walk outside and here the chickadee's singing in the trees! Didn't know they ate ticks; that's a plus!

RedPat said...

They are such sweeties!

Linda W. said...

Such adorable little birds!

Powell River Books said...

I've never seen a Chickadee at our place. I put out some suet balls hoping a few winter birds might come by, but no luck so far. Probably it's not a know food location so no one stays in the area during the cold winter months. - Margy

Andy said...

Wonder photos Camera Girl. No snow means it is easier for these little guys to find food.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The cutest little bird to visit my feeders.Lovely pictures.

Jack said...

Beautiful captures again, EG.

Anvilcloud said...

Chickadees are so delightful.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Lovely cuties!

They come to the suet feeder in a mixed flock with titmice, nuthatches, and woodpeckers. I haven't managed to convince any that it's safe to eat from my hand, though...
~

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.