Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Poecile (unknown small bird) atricapillus ("black cap")

Adult Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) in Anchorage, Alaska, USA - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Poecile atricapillus turneri
Weight: 9-14g  /  Length: 12-15cm  /  Wingspan: 15-21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small and abundant tit that is found throughout much of Northern North America, although in the South-Eastern US it is replaced by the very similar looking Carolina Chickadee. It is an adaptable species found in both coniferous and deciduous forests as well as human modified habitats. They are not migratory, but have several adaptations to deal with cold temperatures including caching behaviour and the ability to lower their body temperature and enter a state of torpor.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
SUBSPECIES: P. a. turneri, P. a. occidentalis, P. a. fortuitus, P. a. septentrionalis, P. a. bartletti, P. a. garrinus, P. a. nevadensis, P. a. practicus

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present in Southern and Central Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present in Northern States of the Lower 48 and Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Poecile (unknown small bird) hudsonicus ("of the Hudson")

Adult Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Poecile hudsonicus stoneyi
Weight: 10g  /  Length: 13-14cm  /  Wingspan: 21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As the name implies, a specialist of the taiga of North America, particularly favouring spruce and fir forests. They may associate with other chickadee species where they overlap, with the few I saw being mixed in with Black-capped Chickadee flocks.  They store food for the winter, often within the same trees they forage in.  

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
SUBSPECIES: P. h. stoneyi, P. h. hudsonicus, P. h. columbianus, P. h.  farleyi, P. h. littoralis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present in Alaska and range just tips over the Northern US Border
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Poecile (unknown small bird) rufescens ("reddish")

Adult Chestnut-backed Chickadee (subspecies P. r. barlowi) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Poecile rufescens barlowi
Weight: 8.5-12g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: 19cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The only typical member of the tit family found in the Bay Area, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a fairly typical member of the family visually, although the namesake chestnut back does make it stand out. They are adaptable to harsh winters via being able to manage their own nocturnal hypothermia, which some studies have suggested could reduce their energy usage by approaching a third.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
SUBSPECIES: P. r. rufescens, P. r. neglectus, P. r. barlowi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

A West Coast species, including Southern Alaska
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley and Roy's Redwoods

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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