Tipping of the Black Cap

As winter is waning, I think back on the companionship of all the North Country birds that have visited our backyard  feeders.  Even on the the coldest and snowiest days, flocks of birds would descend to feast on the high fat sunflower seeds.  One happy little acrobat, the chickadee holds a special place in my heart.

Black-Capped Chickadees (Parus atricapillua) are in the same family as the Titmice: Paridae.
Chickadees with their friendly, energetic personalities have inspired Adirondack musicians and artists for generations.


This visually distinct bird, with its black hat and white patch beneath the eye, are easily identified by their call: Chicka-dee-dee-dee-dee.  These year-round residents will nest between May and June in tree cavities or nest boxes that they fill with different kinds of green mosses, feathers, plant material and fur.  Once the nest is built the female Chickadee will lay between 5-8 small eggs.  Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs.  The eggs will hatch in 11-13 days, at which point the parents will then take turns feeding the chicks.  Chickadees are very quick to find bird feeders, as they love sunflower seeds.

I fondly remember one amazing winter day years before our son was born. My husband and I were snowshoeing into Marcy Dam from the Loj.  We had stopped to listen to the serene peacefulness and sounds of nature around us, when a Chickadee flew down and landed on my head.  This friendly little bird had become overly acclimated to humans and was seeking a handout for lunch.  Needless to say, we were very surprised to see this supposedly wild creature up close and personal.  It didn't take our new friend long to see that we didn't have anything for him to eat and off he flew.

The Chickadees that visit and daily provide entertainment for our son William, while friendly, keep their distance.  Since we moved to Schroon Lake, almost nine months ago, we have seen many types of birds in our backyard; from the Tuffed Titmouse, Blue Jay, Common Redpoll, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, to the Ruby Throated Hummingbird, to name just a few.  I greatly look forward to enjoying them all and documenting the wonders of birds in the Adirondacks with my husband and son.