Chestnut Backed Chickadee
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is the most colorful members of their family. It is a permanent resident on the western fringe of the continent and is found primarily in coniferous forests although can also be found in deciduous trees and thickets. It has a rich rusty brown back and flank, a dark brown cap, black bib and a white cheek patch.
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee generally nests in a dead tree or a natural cavity or woodpecker hole in a living tree.The nest is a loose cup of soft materials like hair, feathers, fibers and plant down and moss which is placed at the bottom of the cavity usually 1 to 20 feet above the ground. 5 to 9 white eggs finely spotted with brown are laid. The incubation period is 12 to 14 days.
Like other chickadees they travel in bands of 6 or more as well as in mixed flocks with juncos, warblers and other chickadees. Their diet consists of seeds, insects and berries.
