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Taxonomy:
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Passerifomes
Family:
Paridae
Genus:
Poecile
Species:
P. rufenscens
Common Name:
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Conservation Status:
LC
Subspecies:
three
P. r. rufescens, AK south to NW CA,
P. r. neglectus, Coastal Cn. CA
P. r. barlowi, Coastal SW CA
Description
The chestnut-backed chickadee is a small passerine bird in the tit (Paridae) family which is native to North America. This chickadee is a small bird, with a dark blackish-brown head, white cheeks, and a bright rufous-brown mantle.
The wing feathers are dark gray with paler fringes. The underparts are white to pale grayish white, with rufous or pale gray flanks.
Chestnut-backed chickadees also eat seeds and plant matter, especially those of conifers, and fruit. It will visit bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, and especially loves suet.
Length:
4.5 to 4.9 inches (average 4.75)
Wingspan:
7.5 inches
Male:
Has a dark brown cap and black bib-throat, with white cheeks. Back is a rich chestnut and flanks can be rich brown to slate gray depending on region. The breast and belly are white, sides and flanks are bright rufous or dull brown. Tail is brownish gray. The greater wing coverts are edged white.
Female:
Juvenile:
First Year:
Habitat:
Numerous in coastal rain forests, dense streamside woodlands, shaded groves and suburbs. Active, sociable and noisy among other similar species, including nuthatches, titmouse, and sometimes other chickadee species.
Range:
Year-round:
Found in the Pacific northwest along the coastal area of southwestern California through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia to southern Alaska. Some have been seen in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and extreme western Montana.
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