Chickadees

[antlercarver]

We have 3 feeders, on 2 feeders I used a timer and on each feeder counted
12-15 per MINUTE. The 3rd feeder is not as busy, averaging 5-8 per minute.
On all 3 feeders its about 30-35 per minute. It seems to get even more busy
half hour before dark. This weather they sure need extra fuel.
There is also some woodpeckers, nuthatches grosbeaks, red polls and bluejays.

[Talking moose]

Lovely little birds


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[jungleboy]

My feeder has been very active in this cold weather as well. I used to buy the mixed seeds and found they would sit there and flick most it out of the feeder onto the ground. I switch over to the shelled sunflower seeds and there is very little waste now. I mostly get the Chickadees and Sparrows with the odd Blue Jay

[58thecat]

They are tam now cuz when I fill the feeders up they land on me!

I tell them I am not dead yet!


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[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

They are tam now cuz when I fill the feeders up they land on me!

I tell them I am not dead yet!


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If it’s only chickadees it’s not a problem.

If it’s ravens check your pulse and cover your eyes.

[curtz]

Our chickadees like the black oil sunflower seeds, we also make up suet balls from ground up pork fat and add a song bird mix into it. Love seeing the boreal chickadees also.

[nimrod]

We have a bird feeder here, with this cold here now, the chickadees are line up, they don't fly very far away from our feeder

[Fish along]

Originally Posted by curtz

Our chickadees like the black oil sunflower seeds, we also make up suet balls from ground up pork fat and add a song bird mix into it. Love seeing the boreal chickadees also.

I just out out pork fat and chikadees and woodpeckers are on it steadily.

[Fish along]

I'm not liking the sparrows because they keep the chickadees away.

[1886]

Try putting out a feeder with canola in it. Lots of other small birds like it. Chickadees don’t seem to eat it though.

[calgarygringo]

My wife is a bird lady. Many Flickers in and out, chickadees, Red House Finches, Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Downey and Hairy woodpeckers and collared doves in and out all day long. Costs as much to feed her birds as my Lab.

[Pioneer2]

Originally Posted by Fish along

I'm not liking the sparrows because they keep the chickadees away.

They're dead.

[dgl1948]

This cute little bird is the first one to a dying rabbit predator call

[graybeard]

They are my favorite.....I only wish there were more spruce trees in the neighborhood....I really like their song.

A few years back a small flock (6-7) partridges flew into my yard and stayed all winter; to which I fed them....I miss those guys.....

[Head Lice]

Really like the Chickadee . . . we have the smaller Chestnut Backed Chickadee's here on the coast. They are always enthusiastic and will put a smile on your face on the coldest of days.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Hard to believe how them little guys stay warm when -40oC. Their body mass is probably less than 1 oz.

[Ken07AOVette]

when I refill the feeders I have seen in just a minute or 2 over 70 sparrows on the deck, and about 4 chicadees. Just can not keep the sparrows away. I do feel sorry for the poor little freezing fluffs in this weather though.

[Strix]

Do your Chickadees have crooked tails? Chickadees often roost in holes in trees. When it’s cold outside a number of them will squeeze together into the cavity to conserve heat. Those on the outside are squeezed against the inside of the cavity wall and emerge in the morning with crooked tails. The tail feathers eventually straighten out during the day of course but I always smile to myself when I see one in the morning at the feeder with a kink in it’s tail. Watch for them.

[Fish along]

Originally Posted by Strix

Do your Chickadees have crooked tails? Chickadees often roost in holes in trees. When it’s cold outside a number of them will squeeze together into the cavity to conserve heat. Those on the outside are squeezed against the inside of the cavity wall and emerge in the morning with crooked tails. The tail feathers eventually straighten out during the day of course but I always smile to myself when I see one in the morning at the feeder with a kink in it’s tail. Watch for them.

Thats very intresting, ill be looking for that now thanks.

[Zip-in-Z]

It's so cold in Sylvan they put on their toques today.

D.

[Howard Hutchinson]

The Chickadees are very active after the feeders. Black oil sunflower seeds for sure and they seem to really enjoy this. 'Natures Grubs' The Mrs seems to filling a container (2 pop cans tall and in diameter) once every couple of days.

[Mr Flyguy]

I put out peanuts for the jays and hope they eat them before the squirrel gets there.

Also sunflower chips for the chickadees, nuthatches, redpolls and others. Don't have to clean up shells in the spring.

On Christmas and Boxing Day had flocks of cedar waxwings (100+ birds) attack the mountain ash tree which was loaded with berries this year.

[KegRiver]

I built insulated boxes for the Chickadees. They get a lot of use in winter.

I got the plan off a birding site. The box is essentially a tall nest box with the opening at the bottom and wood dowels for the chickadees to roost on.

I built mine using a layer of 1/4" plywood, then a layer of 1/2" Styrofoam and another layer of 3/8" plywood.

Like this commercial made one only not as fancy.



And no crooked tails now.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by Mr Flyguy

I put out peanuts for the jays and hope they eat them before the squirrel gets there.

Also sunflower chips for the chickadees, nuthatches, redpolls and others. Don't have to clean up shells in the spring.

On Christmas and Boxing Day had flocks of cedar waxwings (100+ birds) attack the mountain ash tree which was loaded with berries this year.

Have another look at those Waxwings. Very good chance they are Bohemian Waxwings.

Most of the Ceder Waxwings move further south for the winter.

Ceder Waxwing;


Note, yellow belly wash, no yellow on wings and white under tail.

Bohemian Waxwing;


Note; Chestnut color on face and under tail, yellow on wings and off white under belly.

[Bushmaster]

Took a couple of pics of my feeder this morning....very cold, so thru the window. Mostly redpolls and it seems their favorite is canola...



And on the ground level...



And a few days ago the rabbits were enjoying the wheat....



Quite a few chickadees too...maybe 25...but they come and go and prefer the sunflower seeds as do the couple of nuthatches that stop by.