Sunday, July 24, 2011

Mountain Chickadee Parus gambeli

Mountain Chickadee Parus gambeli

These energetic little birds are abundant in the conifer forests of the western mountains, where they nest in tree cavities. They travel in flocks, sometimes in company with warblers and vireos, and may range far downslope in cold weather. At such times they often visit feeders, where their boldness is rewarded with sunflower seeds.

Identification 6". Gray with black cap, eye stripe, and throat; cheeks and eyebrow white to pale gray. Birds of Great Basin area paler with more buff; birds from farther west darker.

Voice A hoarse chick-a-dee, dee, dee and a whistled fee-bee or dee-dee.

Habitat Montane conifer forests; occasionally elsewhere in winter.

Range British Columbia south through western mountains to Baja California and SW. Texas. Usually nonmigratory, but some birds move downslope in winter.

No comments:

Post a Comment