Gusts of wind shook the branch where the bird feeder hung and it fell to the ground. The birds enjoyed unfettered access to the suet.
Tag: Backyard Birds
Carolina Chickadee or Black-capped Chickadee?
Due to climate change, the range of the Black-capped Chickadee and Carolina Chickadee overlap.
I was uncertain about the identification of this bird, so I uploaded the image to ChatGPT, requesting identification.
Me: Please identify the bird in this photograph. Please describe the scene.
ChatGPT: This is a photograph of a Carolina Chickadee, identifiable by its black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft grey back, wings, and tail. It is perched on a bare branch amidst a network of similar branches against a pale blue sky, likely in a deciduous woodland during the non-breeding season when trees are leafless.
For verification, I uploaded the same image to the Merlin ID app. Merlin also identified this bird as a Carolina Chickadee. However, after additional reading on All About Birds, I learned that this individual could be a Carolina or Black-capped Chickadee. They are very similar in colouring, and identification can be challenging. The calls of the Black-capped Chickadee are different from the Carolina Chickadee. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the presence of mind to use the Merlin app for an audio identification.
However, Merlin ID mentioned a 2014 study by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Villanova University, and Cornell University that indicates that the hybrid zone between Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees is shifting northward in alignment with rising winter temperatures.
This is the first time I have heard and photographed a Chickadee. I heard this individual's distinctive call when I was outside, about to leave on a short walk. The bird was in a tall tree in the small wooded area between two streets near my home. Despite the challenges of backlighting, I enhanced some of its features using Adobe Lightroom, drawing out the finer details that aided in its accurate identification.
Surveying the surroundings
The bird is likely a type of finch or sparrow.
Merlin ID app identified this individual as a female house finch. Female House Finches have streaked brown and white plumage, which provides camouflage among the branches and leaves. They lack the red colouring that male House Finches display.
Her soft, earthy tones express her role in the finch family, not the flashy singer commanding attention but the diligent creator of the nest and nurturer of her young.
House Finches, Carpodacus mexicanus, are small, social birds well-adapted to human environments. The females, measuring 5 to 6 inches long, are predominantly brown with crisp, streaked patterns across their back, chest, and sides. Their solid and conical beaks are adapted to their seed-based diet. They will also consume fruits and insects when available, especially during breeding.
These birds are known for their vigorous singing, and the females' more subtle vocalisations often go unnoticed. Yet, her role is critical. She is the primary nest builder, weaving together twigs, grasses, and feathers to create a haven for her eggs, usually in the nooks of buildings or other artificial structures, a nod to their comfort in urban settings.
Originally from the western United States and Mexico, House Finches have expanded their range to cover the entire country, thriving in various habitats. Their conservation status is of "Least Concern," reflecting their successful adaptation and resilience.
