Bird of the Day: Chestnut-backed Chickadee

There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescens

Appearance:
Dark brown cap and throat
Red-brown back and sides
White cheeks and breast

Listen to its call.

This bird was among many of its kind frequenting the neighbour's feeder today. Although there was a mixture of seed in the dispenser, these birds seem to prefer sunflower seeds. They are also particularly fond of this simple hanging seed dispenser, possible due to its proximity to our hazel tree where they tend to 'escape' to between nibbles.

Learn more about the Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

2 comments:

JillJanuary 4, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Love the way you are setting this up, Beth, especially with the links. Tried the song link though without success...advised not to download. Love that idea though...that will be really useful.
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AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:35 PM
This one is my favourite thus far :)
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