Chickadees, Titmice

Boreal Chickadee, Poecile hudsonicus

Family Paridae (Chickadees, Titmice)

Size: 5.5"

Season: Year-round

Habitat: Coniferous forests

The boreal chickadee is a dark chickadee of northern boreal forests with a plump body, rounded wings, a big head, and a small bill. It is quite similar to the black-capped chickadee, which shares its range, but there are noticeable color differences. The boreal is grayish brown above and on the wings, has a gray nape, and has a rich-brown cap above a white face. The underparts are whitish with cinnamon-brown sides and flanks and a black throat patch. It flits about in dense foliage, often clinging upside down on small branches while feeding on insects, larvae, and seeds. It stashes extra food among bark and needles to eat during lean winter months. Its most common call is a raspy chick-a-dee or chick-a-dee-dee. The adult is illustrated.