[bcbirdclub] Fw: [Va-bird] Black-capped Chickadees continue to appear in large numbers in north-western Virginia
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Buchanan County Bird Club" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 19:54:59 -0500
Hi All,
The following message appeared on VA Birds. I thought some of you would find it
interesting, especially if you have chickadees coming to your feeders. Almost
all of the chickadees coming to feeders in our area are Carolina Chickadees,
but this year you might see a Black-capped at your feeder. The following post
explains how to tell the difference. Note that in this post BCCH is short for
Black-capped Chickadee, and CACH is short for Carolina Chickadee. Note also
that " greater coverts " refer to feathers in the wing that fold into and
appear on the bird's back when the wings are closed.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
----- Original Message -----
From: ROB SIMPSON
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 7:21 PM
Subject: [Va-bird] Black-capped Chickadees continue to appear in large numbers
in north-western Virginia
Black-capped Chickadees continue to appear in large numbers in north-western
Virginia (Frederick, Warren, Clarke, Page, and Shenandoah Counties). Some
feeders appear to have up to a 50% ratio of Carolina to Black-capped. This may
be the biggest push south since I have been studying them in this area (1974 to
present). The feeders we are surveying are ones that in most years only have
Carolina Chickadees. I have not had time to make a detailed analysis of the
subspecies but most if not all of the ones I have observed have been the
northern race and not our high elevation Appalachian race. I have had several
people ask about the identification of them with some thinking that they are
very difficult to tell apart. Rather than answer individuals I will give a bulk
answer as it appears there are many beginning birders who might struggle with
this duo. There is quite a bit of misinformation about them, including a
statement (in Birdwatchers Digest I believe) that the two species never flock
together. The very bright northern race of the BCCH is quite different from our
CACH. The easy mark is the white hockey stick shaped mark on the wing of the
more northern BCCH. The flight feathers are heavily edged in white (the stick
handle) while the heavily white edged wing coverts make up the blade. As a
former Canadian hockey player who is going in for hockey related shoulder
surgery tomorrow, I know the mark well. CACHs may have gray to whitish gray
edged flight feathers but they lack the distinct edging on the greater coverts.
A backwards view gives a very distinct white V on the back of a BCCH. Another
good mark that is rarely mentioned is the face of the BCCH is very white from
the front to back of the face and it contrasts strongly with the relatively
light gray back. The CACH is more dingy at the back of the face and blends into
the gray brownish tinged back. It is not clear cut, distinct and contrasty.
There are other marks listed in the various field guides referring to size,
bib, song etc. that are useful. To a beginning birder, who may not have a good
handle on bird song identification the slower lower song may not be as useful
as visual marks. In the 1970's I did some chickadee interaction studies with
color marked individuals to see if there were any behavior patterns that stood
out. The college students quickly were able to pick out the two species, even
at 100 feet in a net without binoculars. Even three 6-8 year old children were
doing 100% identification after a little practice - so don't give up. Keep an
eye out for the BCCH and I would like to hear how frequent they are in various
parts of the state. It would be interesting to hear about the interaction of
our resident high altitude BCCH with the northern BCCH visitors (Highland
County feeders comes to mind). If you are interested I can help with separating
the two BCCH subspecies in the field.
Our Northern Shenandoah Valley CBC will be Dec 15, 2007 - if you wish to join
us please reply offline: rsimpson@xxxxxxxx
- Rob Simpson
Robert C. Simpson
Associate Professor of Natural Resources
Program Contact for Natural Resources Focus in the Science Degree
Program Contact for Outdoor and Nature Photography Careers Certificate
Contact for information on: Field Biology, General Ecology, Wildlife and
Fisheries, Habitat and Food Plant Identification, Special Studies in Wildlife
Field Techniques, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Mushrooms Edible
and Otherwise, Plants and Nature Photography.
Email: rsimpson@xxxxxxxx
Course websites: http://www.lfcc.edu/classes/simpson/
Phone: 540 868 7206
Fax: 540 868 7100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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