The chickadee is a part of the Titmouse family. This small and perky bird is a familiar and welcome visitor to our backyard feeders and gardens in winter. There are five species in North America, the black capped chickadee which makes its home to the north, the Chestnut backed chickadee found in the Pacific Northwest, the Carolina chickadee which is found in the south east, the mountain chickadee found in the west, and the Mexican chickadee found in the mountains of southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and the west and central mountainous areas of Mexico.

Chickadees are usually seen in pairs or small groups. When nesting is over and the young are on the wing, chickadees will form small flocks of 8 or a dozen birds which will roost and forage together until spring. Finding food in the winter is often tough and hunting in groups increases their chances for success. This group concept also helps as a predator defense system. More eyes can look for and warn the group of approaching danger.

Chickadees dine primarily on insects, seeds and berries. These active and agile little birds can be seen hanging upside down from twigs or at your feeder.