The Secret to Attracting Black-Capped Chickadees to Your Feeders
Black-capped Chickadees are a delightful addition to any backyard birdwatching experience. Their playful behavior and distinctive call make them a favorite among bird watchers.
But what seed do Black-capped Chickadees like the most? Understanding their preferred seeds can help you set up a bird feeding station that attracts tons of these charming birds.
Let's explore their top seed choices and how you can create an inviting environment for them.
Favorite Seed: All is Not Equal
When it comes to attracting Chickadees, sunflower seeds are their top choice. These seeds provide essential nutrients and energy that these small birds need.
But not just any will do!
Chickadee At Tube Feeder
Black-oil sunflower seeds: These seeds are favored by most birds due to their high oil content, which provides significant energy.
They have thin shells, making them easier for Black-capped Chickadees to crack open.
This makes them especially valuable during winter months when food is scarce.
Striped sunflower seeds on the other hand, have slightly harder shells and are more difficult to crack open.
Other birds will still eat them but most birds prefer the other. Still, they may be a good choice if the black-oil variety isn't available.
Why They Love Sunflower Seeds
Black-capped Chickadees are attracted to sunflower seeds for several reasons:
- Nutrient-rich: Sunflower seeds are packed with protein, fats, and essential vitamins.
These nutrients are crucial for birds, especially during colder months when their energy needs increase. - Easy to handle: The size and shape of sunflower seeds are perfect for chickadees.
They can hold the seeds with their feet and peck at them, a behavior known as "hold-and-hammer."
This feeding technique makes sunflower seeds an ideal choice. - Widely available: Sunflower seeds are readily available. This makes them an easy choice for feeders and ensures that chickadees are likely to visit feeders stocked with these types of seeds.
How to Set Up the Best Feeder to Attract Black-Capped Chickadees
To maximize your chances of attracting these birds, consider these tips for setting up your bird feeder:
Tube Feeder Filled with Sunflower Seeds
- Use a tube feeder: Tube feeders with small perches are ideal for Black-capped Chickadees.
They allow the birds to perch comfortably while picking a single seed out to eat. - Keep feeders clean: Regularly clean your feeders to prevent mold and spoilage. This ensures the seeds remain fresh and safe for the birds.
- Provide water: Chickadees need water as much as they need food. Place a heated birdbath or water source near your feeder to attract more birds.
What Other Types of Seed Can You Offer?
While sunflower seeds are the favorite, diversifing your offerings will attract more species, consider:
- Peanuts: Both shelled and unshelled peanuts are a high-energy food that can attract Black-capped Chickadees.
Be sure to offer peanuts in a feeder designed to handle larger items. - Nyjer seeds: Although typically associated with finches, some chickadees will eat nyjer seeds, especially if their preferred sunflower seeds are not available.
- Safflower seeds: Chickadees will also eat safflower seeds, though they are less popular than sunflower seeds.
Adding safflower seeds can help reduce waste from less desirable seed blends.
What You Can Do
Offering the best seed such as sunflower seeds, will keep them around all season.
Personally, I find the best feeder experience is to offer a variety of seeds that keeps all the birds coming back.
Using multiple feeders will allow these small birds to compete with the larger species by having more options to feed.
By setting up a suitable bird feeding station and maintaining a clean feeding area, you can enjoy watching these birds and so many others year-round.
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| Birds and Blooms | Pioneer Woman | People Magazine | First For Women |
