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Chickadee

Poecile sp

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
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36.7783, -119.418

Field Notes

Description:

Looks like a Mexican Chicadee,but seems very rare because they are unlikely to cross over the borders.More gray on under side than any other Chickadee I have seen so far.
Adults are 12.5–13.5 cm long with a wingspan of 18–21 cm and a weight of 7.5–11 g. Both sexes have a black cap, white cheeks, and a short black bill. Their backs and flanks are gray and they have paler grayish underparts. Similar in appearance to the Black-capped Chickadee and Mountain Chickadee, the Mexican Chickadee can be distinguished by its longer black bib, which extends from its chin down onto its upper breast. A whitish band below the bib extends down the center of the belly.

Habitat:

foothills

Reference Links:

Mexican Chickadee

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
HemaShah
Liam ,thanks once again ! To be on the safer side , Id'd it as "Chickadee, Poecile sp"
HemaShah
Its really this whitish band that made me think in that direction. Now a days,I quickly glance all over the bird and try to get as much details i can ,in addition to taking a picture. This bird was definitely grey all over. Looking at your link, I will go by your friends suggestion of a Mountain Chickadee. The range map is excellent!
HemaShah
The wikipedia says "A whitish band below the bib extends down the center of the belly."
Liam
I see a potential white sub-bib, but it's a washed out spot, and could be an element of overexposure. I'm not really sure on this bird anymore. My Sibley's Guide doesn't say anything about a white bib below the black bib on Mexican, either. I'm guess I'm skeptical about this bird being a Mexican because it is out of range. They have a very restricted range in America, and one in Fresno seems highly out of place. http://askabiologist.asu.edu/aab_tools/_media/maps/mexican_chickadee_L_M.gif
HemaShah
liam,can you see a white bib under the black bib? That is the main distinguishing feature which separates the Mexican Chickadees from all the others.
Liam
I will run your reply through to them. Glad I can help. :)
HemaShah
Liam,Thanks for this awesome feedback.
HemaShah
OK,Here is what I think, It has a black bib bigger than other chicadees. Almost gray. i looked at its back and it was not chestnut.Do not have a pic unfortunately. Below the black bib is a white bib,which is typical of these Chicadees. Like i said ,if you still feel strongly then i might change to chestnut. But I made it a point to look at its back and it was surely not that color.
Liam
Okay, I sent it to my friends. The general consensus was Chestnut-backed Chickadee. http://www.whatbird.com/Forums/forums/thread/284554.aspx
HemaShah
Liam,please send it to your friends for confirmation! Can't wait to know what it is! Last week I had spotted a chestnut backed. It had buff coloring too,which this one lacks..
Liam
Mind if I send it to some friends for a confirmation?
Liam
Any Chickadee in your area is a nice sighting. This one looks most like a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) with the extensive black bib and the lack of supercilium.

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 12, 2012

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