Another Tiny Visitor

  Our rain continues which is normal February weather down here in the Deep South.  Fog, warm, rain then a short cold spell and back to fog again seems to be the routine.  This year, however, those cold spells seem to forgot to come.  As a rule, it is warm enough to be called spring but we are all holding out on the thought that there will be one more "freeze" before the gardens are planted.  Critters, on the other hand, have already declared that spring is here and that love is in the air.  Nesting has begun.  

  Braving the drizzly rain this morning, I put more birdseed out on the tray on the lawn table.  I still have no feeders but the birds do not seem to mind.  As long as they are getting free food, they are happy.  As I stood just a few feet away from the table, a pair of chickadees popped in for breakfast. These tiny birds are often found flocking with their buddies the titmice and sure enough, I could hear them in the nearby cedar tree.  The little chickadees are more vocal about demanding seed if I dare forget to fill the feeders but the titmice express their elation when I do.  

  Here, we have the Carolina Chickadee which closely resembles the Black-capped Chickadee.  Really, the only visible difference is the Black-capped Chickadee has deeper grey on its back and more pronounced white wing edgings.  Our little Carolina Chickadee has greyish wing edgings.  The songs are different between the two birds which helps somewhat but the biggest factor in knowing what type Chickadee is found here is the range maps.  Black-caps do not range this far south and Carolina Chickadees do not range far north.  Their ranges do overlap a tiny bit and the birds are not overly concerned.  They get along fine and will often hybridize.

  Chickadees of all types are very approachable birds.  If you have enough patience and the gnats are not too bad (our bane), these tiny birds will often land on your hand to feed.  Put a bit of seed in your hand, sit still and wait.  Soon the little ones will come to visit!  

  Chickadees are cavity dwellers just like the titmice.  They will, however, create their own holes in rotted wood if no empty holes are available.  The male and female bond and stay together for many years. During courtship, the male will bring food to the female.  Both build the nest and both share parenting responsibilities.  Folks, fill the feeders and watch for these sweet birds.  They are perhaps the most adorable birds to visit and will be happy to visit a spell with you.