Common Nesting Birds

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Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)


Photo © Bob Gunderson

Chestnut-backed Chickadee eggs

Photo © RenĂ© Corado

Chestnut-backed Chickadee nest

Photo © RenĂ© Corado

Adult

Photo © John Reynolds / Macaulay Library

Adult (Central California Coast)

Photo © Paul Fenwick / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Mason Maron / Macaulay Library

Adult (Central California Coast)

Photo © Paul Fenwick / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Marie O'Shaughnessy / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © David Badke / Macaulay Library

Adult (Central California Coast)

Photo © Anonymous / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © J Millsaps / Macaulay Library

Song

© Nathan Pieplow

Calls

© Charles A. Sutherland / Macaulay Library

Song

© Nathan Pieplow

Calls

© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Bruce Lagerquist / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Thomas G. Sander / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Paul Fenwick / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Paul Fenwick / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Geoffrey A. Keller / Macaulay Library

Flock calls

© Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library

When To Look

Source: Birds of the World

Where To Find It

Habitats

forest

Substrates

Nestbox or Birdhouse

Live Tree Cavity

Dead Tree Cavity

What You'll Find

Nest Type

cavity

Chick

Altricial

Clutch Size

1
6
7
11

Nest Height

12 ft
1 ft

Nesting Statistics

Incubation Period

12-18
days

Brooding Period

18-21
days

Useful Hints

  • The Chestnut-backed Chickadee uses lots of fur in making its nest, with fur or hair accounting for up to half the material in the hole. The adults make a layer of fur about a half-inch thick that they use to cover the eggs when they leave the nest.
  • Males take the first step in choosing nest sites, approaching a possible location while the female watches. Later, the female decides on the site, enters the cavity, and accepts pieces of vegetation brought by the male.
  • Chestnut-backed Chickadees prefer nest boxes oriented in an eastern to southeastern direction.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology