A pair of Carolina Chickadees recently investigated a birdhouse in my Lavaca, Arkansas yard. It looked like a possible Carolina Chickadee nesting spot.
A Possible Carolina Chickadee Nesting Spot
I watched the chickadees move in and out of the birdhouse on March 3, 2023. Their repeated visits made me wonder if they planned to nest there.
Their interest surprised me because a pair of Eastern Bluebirds had also inspected the same birdhouse. I expected the larger bluebirds to keep the smaller chickadees away.
Instead, both species visited the birdhouse at different times. I did not see any direct conflict between them.
Carolina Chickadees commonly use cavities for nesting. A suitable birdhouse can provide the kind of enclosed space they seek during nesting season.
After the chickadees left, a male Eastern Bluebird arrived and inspected the birdhouse. That visit added another chapter to the question of which birds might eventually use it.
Photographing the Chickadees in My Yard
I photographed the chickadees as they investigated the birdhouse. Their movement gave me a chance to document behavior that often passes quickly in a backyard.
The photo was taken at 10:12 a.m. in Lavaca, Arkansas.
Camera equipment and settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/1000 second
- ISO: 640, Auto
- Exposure compensation: -4/3
- Focal length: 500mm
Waiting to See Which Birds Return
Watching two species inspect the same birdhouse made this an interesting backyard observation. The birds did not settle the matter during my time outside.
I suspected the Eastern Bluebirds might eventually claim the birdhouse. Still, the Carolina Chickadees had clearly found it worth investigating. The only thing left to do was watch and see which birds returned.