This One Mistake Could Be Keeping Chickadees Away From Your Garden

Chickadees, with their distinctive ‘chick-a-dee-dee-dee’ calls and fearless charm, are often among the first birds to discover a new feeder and become regular, delightful visitors to gardens. Their acrobatic antics, inquisitive nature, and willingness to approach humans make them a favorite among backyard bird enthusiasts.

However, suppose you’ve been putting out food and water, only to find your garden mysteriously empty of these tiny, energetic birds. In that case, you may be making a common yet often overlooked mistake. It’s not about the wrong seed; it’s about a critical oversight that can inadvertently turn your welcoming habitat into a perilous trap for these beloved little birds. 

The Chickadee Family

Chickadees are small, active, and highly recognizable songbirds belonging to the genus Poecile, part of the family Paridae (which also includes titmice). They are small, typically ranging from 4 to 6 inches in length, with a relatively large head, short neck, and a small, pointed bill. Their bodies are somewhat rotund, and they often appear compact. While variations exist among species, most chickadees feature a prominent black cap and bib, contrasting with white cheeks. Their backs are generally grey, with lighter underparts that can be white, buff, or even reddish-brown on the flanks depending on the species.

These entertaining little birds are highly energetic and acrobatic, often seen hanging upside down to glean insects from branches and leaves. Chickadees are known for being quite social, often forming mixed-species flocks with other birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers, especially in winter. They also have a fascinating habit of caching food (tucking seeds into crevices for later retrieval), demonstrating excellent spatial memory. Their namesake chick-a-dee-dee-dee call is highly variable and serves various communicative purposes, from announcing food sources to warning of predators. Most species also have a distinct whistled song.

Chickadees are primarily woodland birds, found in a variety of forested habitats including deciduous and coniferous forests, as well as parks, gardens, and suburban areas with trees. They are omnivorous, feeding on a mix of insects (especially caterpillars, eggs, and larvae), spiders, seeds, and berries. In winter, seeds and cached food become particularly important. As cavity nesters, they excavate their own holes in soft or rotting wood (like birch or alder), or utilize abandoned woodpecker holes or nest boxes. The female builds the nest with soft materials like moss, fur, and feathers, and typically lays 5-7 eggs. Both parents contribute to feeding the nestlings.

Most chickadee species are non-migratory and remain in their breeding range year-round, making them a common sight even in winter. They have adaptations to endure cold weather, including the ability to enter a state of regulated hypothermia at night to conserve energy.

Chickadee Species

There are seven species of chickadees found in North America:

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is distinguished by its clear black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft buffy flanks, often with noticeable white edging on its wing feathers. It is the most widespread chickadee species in North America, found across most of Canada and the northern United States, extending south into areas like Colorado and northern New Mexico, and inhabits deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and suburban areas.

Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) is very similar in appearance to the Black-capped Chickadee, but generally has less white on its wings and a shorter tail. Its white cheek may darken slightly towards the nape, and its black bib border is typically crisper. They are found in the southeastern United States, ranging from central Texas to northern Florida and north to southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Where its range overlaps with the Black-capped, distinguishing them often relies on subtle plumage differences and, more reliably, their distinct vocalizations.

Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) is easily recognized by the distinct white eyebrow stripe that cuts through its black cap, contrasting with its black eye. They inhabit coniferous forests at higher elevations throughout the Rocky, Cascade, and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges of western North America, from south-central Yukon through British Columbia and down into the western United States.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is the smallest chickadee, distinguished by its reddish-brown back and flanks, which gives it its name. It is found along the Pacific coast of North America, from central California up to Alaska, often in dense, wet coniferous and oak forests. Also found in the inland mountain ranges of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) features a brown cap (rather than black) and reddish-brown flanks. They live in the boreal forests of Canada, Alaska, and the northern fringes of the contiguous U.S. states (e.g., northeastern states and sometimes into the Great Lakes states during winter irruptions).

Gray-headed Chickadee (Poecile cinctus) is similar to the Boreal Chickadee but with a longer and clearer white cheek stripe and a gray cap. They are the rarest chickadee in North America, primarily found in extreme northern Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada, and parts of Alaska. It is also widespread in northern Eurasia, where it is known as the Siberian Tit.

Mexican Chickadee (Poecile sclateri) resembles the Black-capped Chickadee with a crisp black cap, bib, and white cheek streaks, but has grayish rather than buffy or whitish flanks. It also has the most extensive black bib among North American chickadees. They are the southernmost chickadee species, primarily found in coniferous forests throughout Mexico. In the United States, it is highly localized, found only in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona and the Animas Mountains of southwestern New Mexico.

Spring and Summer Diet

Chickadees are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plant matter and animal matter. Their specific diet varies significantly with the seasons. During the warmer months, they eat a selection of the following:

Insects and Invertebrates: This is the primary component of their diet during these seasons, often making up 80-90% of what they eat. They are particularly fond of: 

• Caterpillars (a huge part of their diet, especially when feeding young)
• Spiders
• Beetles
• Flies
• Ants
• Aphids
• Other insect eggs and larvae
• Small snails and slugs
• Centipedes
• Berries and Small Fruits: They will also consume berries and small fruits as they become available.

Fall and Winter Diet

During the colder months, as insects become scarcer, seeds become a much more significant part of their diet, often making up about 50%. They are particularly attracted to: 

• Black oil sunflower seeds: These are a favorite due to their high fat content and thin shells, which are easy for chickadees to crack.
• Shelled peanuts and peanut pieces: Another high-energy food source.
• Other tree nuts (chopped)
• Safflower seeds (though less preferred than sunflower or peanuts)
• Nyjer (thistle) seed (they will eat it, but prefer other options)
• Insects and Invertebrates: They still seek out overwintering insect eggs, pupae, and any adult insects they can find.
• Suet and Animal Fat: Suet (rendered animal fat) is a highly valued, high-energy food source at feeders during winter. They may also scavenge bits of fat or meat from frozen carcasses.
• Berries and Small Fruits: Any remaining berries from the fall will be consumed.

Feeding Chickadees

If you are looking to attract chickadees to a backyard feeder, offering black oil sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts, and suet are excellent choices. They also appreciate a clean water source, even in winter. Choosing the right (and avoiding the wrong) feeders can make a big difference in how often they visit your garden. Their small size, acrobatic abilities, and ‘grab-and-go’ feeding style influence their preferences.

Good Feeders

Chickadees are versatile and will use a variety of feeder types, especially those that cater to their preference for taking a single seed and flying off to eat it.

Tube Feeders

Offering seeds and nuts in a tube feeder with small perches is arguably the most popular and effective feeder for chickadees. Their small ports are perfect for chickadee-sized seeds like black oil sunflower. Small ports will prevent larger, aggressive birds from dominating. Look for sturdy plastic or metal designs. Chickadees are agile and comfortable clinging to the small perches or the wire mesh. Fill them with black oil sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts/chips, shelled peanuts.

Wire Cages

Chickadees are high-energy birds and love suet, especially in cooler months. They are excellent clingers and can easily hang upside down or sideways on a wire suet cage. Fill them with suet cakes (especially peanut butter or insect blends). You can also offer suet year-round, but use ‘no-melt’ suet cakes during warmer periods to prevent spoilage and feather contamination.

Mesh Feeders

These are similar to suet cages but filled with shelled peanuts or sunflower chips. These feeders allow chickadees to cling directly to the mesh and pull out pieces. This replicates their natural foraging style of picking insects from bark. You must ensure the mesh size is appropriate for the food to be dispensed easily, but not so large that it allows too much spillage.

Hopper Feeders

These feeders store a larger quantity of seed and keep it dry. Chickadees will readily visit hopper feeders filled with black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, shelled peanuts, and quality mixed birdseed. If larger birds (like jays or grackles) dominate, chickadees might be deterred. Opt for designs with smaller perches or openings if this is an issue.

Caged Feeders

Cage-within-a-cage feeders have an outer wire cage with openings large enough for small birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice to enter, but too small for larger birds or squirrels. They are excellent for deterring bullies and protecting smaller birds. Ensure the inner feeder is easy to clean.

Bad Feeders

While chickadees are adaptable, some feeder types are less optimal or actively deter them.

Large-Holed Nyjer/Thistle Feeders

While goldfinches love Nyjer, chickadees are not primary Nyjer eaters. If a Nyjer feeder has large holes, the tiny seeds will spill, attracting ground feeders and potentially wasting seed. If you want to offer Nyjer, use a dedicated Nyjer feeder (mesh sock or tube with tiny slits), but primarily for goldfinches.

Ground Feeders

Chickadees are arboreal (tree-dwelling) birds and prefer to feed on the ground. Feeding on the ground makes them highly vulnerable to ground predators like cats. While they might occasionally pick up dropped seeds, they won’t rely on ground feeders. If you have ground feeders, ensure they are placed in very open areas with good sightlines and no nearby cover for predators.

Weighted Feeders 

Some squirrel-proof feeders are weight-activated, closing off access to the seed if a heavier animal lands on the perch. While effective for squirrels, some designs can be too sensitive for light-bodied chickadees, preventing them from accessing the food. Look for weight-activated feeders specifically designed for small birds or caged feeders.

Unprotected Platforms

Similar to ground feeding, feeders with very large, open platforms far from cover expose chickadees to predators. They prefer to grab a seed quickly and retreat to safety. Ensure platforms are near natural cover (dense shrubs or trees) or use designs that offer more protection.

Final Thoughts

Chickadees show a strong preference for tube and hopper feeders with perches due to a combination of their natural foraging behavior, physical characteristics, and survival strategies. In the wild, they constantly flit and hop among twigs and branches, often hanging upside down to glean insects and seeds. Perches on feeders mimic this natural environment, providing a stable and comfortable place for them to land, access seeds, and quickly depart. Their feet are well-adapted for gripping branches and small perches. This makes tube and hopper feeders, which typically offer small perches, ideal for their anatomy.