The Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens), or CBCH*, is a lively and active resident of the coniferous forests along the pacific coast of North America(1,2). It’s bold black and white patterned head and brown back allow for easy identification(3). It is commonly found foraging in mixed-flocks high up in the canopy. This can make them hard to spot, but their iconic “chick-a-dee” call will let you know they’re there. They do come down to feed off insects on the leafy undergrowth and are even commonly seen at bird feeders(1). This is one little bird to keep an eye out for.

*CBCH is the alpha code for Chestnut-backed Chickadee; each bird species has it’s own unique four letter code for quick communication among ornithologists(4).

For Quick CBCH Identification:

FIELD MARKS:(3)
Size: 4.75″ long
Wing span: 7.5″
Weight: 0.39oz (9.7g)
– black cap and chin
– white cheek patch
– reddish-brown back
– darker gray wings
– pale belly
WHERE TO LOOK:(1)
– Pacific North-West coast region
– dense and mixed coniferous forests
– around deciduous shrubbery
– together with other small foraging birds

General Information:

Chestnut-backed Chickadees tend to flock along with other species of birds, but their distinct markings will allow you to easily pick them out of the crowd. Look for a bold white cheek patch sandwiched between a black cap and chin, with the small black eyes and bill almost unnoticeable. This facial pattern is characteristic of most North American chickadee species, but the CBCHs distinct chestnut-brown back is the definite giveaway(3). The brown allows them to blend in more with the dark conifer trees of their home range(1).

 

Chestnut-backed Chickadees live along the west coast of Canada and northern parts of the USA. They live up high in the tops of dense coniferous forests and are usually heard before they are seen (1). Their husky, nasal chirping and whistling is what gives their presence away(3). They’re usually spotted in the lower deciduous shrubbery where they search for insects (1).

 

Click here to see some CBCHs in action and listen to their distinctive calls (6):
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Video credit to Mark George, from YouTube.

 

CBCHs are primarily insectivores who use foliage gleaning techniques to find their food. This means that they spend most of their day hopping from tree to tree checking the underside of leaves for hiding insects. Chickadees need to be quick and agile to catch their prey. This can involve some skilled acrobatics that often include things like hanging upside down!(2) Even though insects are their primary diet, Chestnut-backed Chickadees are commonly seen feeding on black oil sunflower seeds in bird feeders. This is one species of bird that has adapted to reap some benefits from human urbanization(1).

Chestnut-backed Chickadees are hardly ever found alone; these extremely social birds like to be part of a flock, whether it’s with other birds of their own species or not. Many join into mixed-foraging flocks, which are groups of several species searching together for food (1). A couple other species that are commonly seen in these flocks are the Golden-crowned Kinglet and the Red-breasted Nuthatch (shown below). Although they forage alongside these other species, their reddish-brown back combined with their other characteristic markings will make identification a whole lot easier.

 

Some Other Interesting CBCH Facts:

– Chestnut-backed Chickadees are the only chickadee species commonly found on Vancouver Island(3)
– The oldest recorded Chestnut-backed Chickadee was 9 years and 6 months old(1)
– The CBCH uses fur from other local animal to line it’s nest(1)
– The Chestnut-backed Chickadee does not migrate, it only makes seasonal jumps in elevation heading farther up into the mountains for summer and back down towards sea-level for winter(1)
–  In 1994, CBCH successfully invaded San Francisco after conservation of oak woodlands with new introduction of pine tree; this allowed their range to extend a little farther south(2)
– In 1975 the first nesting pair of Chestnut-backed Chickadees was found in Montana; this is the farthest point inland that they range(7)

 

-Stephanie Wetten
VIU Ornithology 2015

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References:
1. Cornell University. All about birds: Chestnut-backed chickadee [Internet]. Ithaca (NY): Cornell Lab of Ornithology; 2015 [cited 2015 Oct. 25] Available from http://allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee/id
2. Kleintjes, P.K., Dahlsten, D.L. 1994. Foraging behaviour and nestling diet of chestnut-backed chickadees in Monterey pine. The Condor. 96:3, 647-653.
3. Sibley, D.A. 2003.Chestnut-backed chickadee. In: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. Alfred A. Knopf, NY, p 321
4. Standardized 4- and 6- letter bird species codes [Internet]. Point Reyes Station (CA): Institute for Bird Populations; 2015 [cited 2015 Oct 31] Available from http://www.birdpop.org/pages/birdSpeciesCodes.php
5. VIU Bird Banding Station [Internet]. Nanaimo (BC): Vancouver Island University Bird Banding; 2015 Sept [cited 2015 Oct. 27] Available from https://www.facebook.com/VIUBandingStation/photos/
6. George, M. Chestnut-backed chickadee (Poecile rufescens) [Interet]. YouTube; 2013 Mar [cited 2015 Oct. 31] Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV6KcDsAYwE
7. McClelland, R.B. 1976. First verified nest of chestnut-backed chickadee in Montana. The Murrelet. 57:1, 18.