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With their playful antics and charming personalities, Chickadees are a favourite among backyard birders. These small, curious birds are year-round residents in the Maritimes, making them a delightful sight no matter the season. With just a few simple steps and basic bird supplies, you can attract Black-Capped Chickadees to your yard all year round!
Offer the Right Food
Chickadees are active birds with big appetites, so having a reliable food source is essential. These feathered friends are particularly fond of black oil sunflower seeds, which offer high energy content. In addition to sunflower seeds, chickadees will gladly munch on peanuts, striped sunflower seeds, and suet.
Use a hopper feeder, tray, or tube feeder to offer these tasty treats. For a natural touch, consider growing sunflowers in your garden to create a feeding station where chickadees can perch and feast. Chickadees are also known to enjoy insects, berries, and nuts. To support this, minimize insecticide use in your garden and plant native berry bushes for natural food sources. You can also offer whole peanuts or peanut halves at your feeders.
For an easy-to-access snack, smear suet or peanut butter directly on tree trunks and watch these tiny birds enjoy the tasty treat!
Provide Clean, Fresh Water
Water is essential to attracting chickadees, especially in winter when they stay in their range and don’t migrate. A shallow bird bath is an excellent way to give chickadees a place to drink and bathe. Consider investing in a heated bird bath or a bird bath de-icer to keep the water from freezing; this will give chickadees a consistent water source, helping them stay hydrated throughout the colder months. If you’re using small dishes, make sure they are shallow enough for chickadees to safely access.
Create Shelter and Nesting Areas
Chickadees are cavity-nesting birds, which means they need safe, sheltered spots to rest and raise their young. One of the best ways to attract chickadees to your yard is by providing nesting boxes. A suitable birdhouse should be 8-10 inches tall with a 4-inch square base and a 1-1/8 inch entrance hole. Adding some wood shavings inside your birdhouses will make them even more attractive, and chickadees are known to use pet fur for their nests (just be sure the fur hasn’t been treated with flea products, as these can be toxic to birds).
Hang the nesting box on a tree trunk for easy access, and consider smearing some peanut butter or soft suet on the tree nearby to lure the birds closer.
For natural shelter, chickadees prefer dense, mature trees—especially evergreens. Chickadees will also use roost boxes or nesting pockets during the winter months to keep warm, often cuddling together in small groups.
Attracting chickadees to your yard is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With the right food, clean water, shelter, and nesting areas, these delightful birds will become regular visitors. By following these tips and being patient, you’ll create a welcoming environment that encourages chickadees to thrive in your backyard, year-round.