This little guy is one of the friendliest birds in the North. If you put a new feeder out in your yard, chances are that your first visitor will be a Chickadee. Unlike many others in the neighborhood, the boys and the girls look alike. They are small, only about 5” from beak to tail. They are faithful residents in that they are with us all four seasons.

Sunflower seeds are one of their favorite meals and they have such good table manners. Unlike many birds, the Chickadee takes one seed at a time, flies from the feeder to a nearby branch, holds the seed between its feet, and cracks it open. After eating the contents, he flies back to the feeder and takes another…. One at a time.

In the warmer months he will eat insects and fruit which is why he also enjoys visiting your suet feeder during the winter months. It is important to keep your suet feeder well stocked through the winter for the Chickadees as well as the woodpeckers and many others. Rumor has it that you can tame Chickadees to eat out of your hand. So far I have been unsuccessful. Stay tuned.