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Project Noah Nature School
Poecile atricapillus
They have black caps, white cheeks, and black throats and are gray above with buff sides fading to white undersides. Males, females, and juveniles have the same plumage. This is a nest being built in a dead tree typical of chickadees. Notice in pic 2 the size of the hole is exactly the size of the bird.
Spotted in a dead fir tree in a buffer forest of mostly tall firs.
Pairs typically form in fall and remain together as part of winter flock. Flocks break up in late winter, and both members of pair help defend nesting territory. Male often feeds female, beginning very early in spring. Nest site is in hole in tree, typically enlargement of small natural cavity in rotten wood, sometimes old woodpecker hole or nesting box; usually 5-20' above the ground. In natural cavity, both sexes help excavate or enlarge the interior. Nest (built by female) has foundation of moss or other matter, lining of softer material such as animal hair.
Spotted on Apr 6, 2018
Submitted on Apr 7, 2018
1 Comment
Three, very pretty, bird photos....