Spring nesting season has arrived in Arkansas, and two bird species have already made themselves at home in my backyard birdhouses. Yesterday, I shared news about Eastern Bluebirds building their nest (Eastern Bluebirds Begin Nesting in Arkansas). Today, I’m excited to report that Carolina Chickadees have also chosen one of the birdhouses in my yard.
Meet the Carolina Chickadee
These small, energetic birds quickly settled into their new home. The female chickadee is busy collecting nesting materials and carrying them into the birdhouse. Carolina Chickadees measure only about 4.5 inches long, but they are energetic and delightful to observe. They have a distinctive appearance, with a black cap and throat, white cheeks, and gray feathers. Their cheerful behavior and charming looks make them beloved across the southeastern United States.
Challenges of Photographing Chickadees
Carolina Chickadees typically select nesting sites near forest edges, favoring locations that blend open spaces and wooded areas. They often build nests in cavities found in trees, dead stumps, or limbs. Such spots provide shelter from predators and easy access to food. The chickadees in my backyard have selected a birdhouse close to the tree line, ideal for protection and foraging but challenging for photography. While I can easily observe the birdhouse from my deck, the shade from surrounding trees makes capturing clear images difficult.
Nesting Habits and Family Life
Carolina Chickadees carefully build their nests, with the female starting by placing moss inside the birdhouse. She then adds softer materials, such as plant fibers and animal hair, occasionally including small bits of human-made items. Once the nest is complete, the female lays 5-8 tiny eggs and incubates them for about two weeks. During this incubation period, the male chickadee diligently brings food to the female.
Peaceful but Complex Coexistence
I’m pleased to have both Eastern Bluebirds and Carolina Chickadees nesting in my backyard. Eastern Bluebirds prefer open or semi-open habitats, like fields with scattered trees, lawns, and golf courses, where they easily spot and catch insects on the ground. Carolina Chickadees prefer wooded habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, swamps, riparian areas, and suburban neighborhoods with scattered trees. They usually gather insects from foliage and tree bark.
Their coexistence in my yard is partly due to their ability to tolerate each other when nesting sites aren’t directly competing. However, Eastern Bluebirds can sometimes dominate nesting areas, potentially limiting access for smaller birds like chickadees.
Importance of Birdhouse Entrance Sizes
The entrance hole size of birdhouses is crucial for attracting specific bird species and deterring others. Here’s why the correct sizes matter for Eastern Bluebirds and Carolina Chickadees:
- Eastern Bluebirds: They prefer an entrance hole diameter of about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), allowing comfortable entry while keeping larger birds out.
- Carolina Chickadees: Chickadees can use smaller openings, preferring birdhouses with entrance hole diameters between 1 inch (2.5 cm) and 1.25 inches (3.2 cm). This helps exclude larger, potentially competitive birds.
Using birdhouses with properly sized entrance holes ensures each species can have suitable nesting sites without competition from larger or more aggressive birds.
Looking Ahead
I look forward to observing both nests over the coming weeks. Despite challenging lighting conditions, I remain hopeful about capturing clear photos of the chickadees. Perhaps an overcast day will provide better lighting, allowing me to photograph these delightful backyard visitors more effectively.