A common fall and winter sight, Black-capped Chickadees can be seen flying between trees singing their cheerful chick-a-dee call. Not just limited to the colder months, they live in Nutley all year, but can “invade” in the fall with increased numbers.
These birds visit feeders and pick seeds that they take with them to their homes in bark tree crevices, with sunflower seeds being a much-loved meal. They can be spotted in the Nutley parks and in back yards by looking for their black cap and bib, gray back, and a pale brown blush on their sides. They could be mistaken as House Sparrows, as they are both small birds with similar plumage.
Listen for the Black-capped Chickadee’s buzzy “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call, or its clear, whistled “fee-bee,” with the second note lower and often doubled.
Species name: Poecile atricapillus
Source: Audubon Society
Photo credit: Sandi Mager on Unsplash