Chickadees are delightful little songbirds that bring cheer to backyards across North America. With their perky attitudes, cute faces, and acrobatic antics, chickadees quickly win the hearts of many bird lovers. As we welcome chickadees to our yards and gardens with bird feeders and houses, an important consideration is what food will best nourish our feathered friends. Providing chickadees with their preferred foods will help attract them, support their health, and sustain their populations. So what is the optimal feed for chickadees? In this article, we will explore the dietary needs of chickadees, look at the best bird food options to meet those needs, and provide tips on offering chickadees the sustenance they require. Equipped with the right knowledge, we can readily offer top-notch hospitality to the chickadees visiting our outdoor spaces.
The Dietary Needs of Chickadees
To determine the best feed for chickadees, we first need to understand what they require in their diet. Chickadees are omnivorous birds that consume both plant and animal material. Their diet consists of the following main components:
Insects and Other Invertebrates
Insects and other invertebrates like spiders make up a sizable portion of the chickadee diet, especially during spring and summer. Caterpillars, beetles, ants, flies, spiders, snails, and insect eggs and larvae are avidly consumed. These animal proteins provide essential amino acids and fats that chickadees need. Insect food is especially important for breeding chickadees and growing nestlings.
Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts from trees like birches, maples, and pines comprise another key part of the chickadee diet. These provide carbohydrates, oils, and some protein. Chickadees will seek out small seeds and fragments of nuts that are easy to handle and crack open with their beaks.
Fruits and Berries
Chickadees supplement their diet with seasonal fruits and berries from shrubs and trees. These provide carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Dried fruit is also readily eaten at bird feeders.
Suet and Bird Fat
Suet and rendered fat from animals offer chickadees a concentrated source of energy and nutrition in winter when insect food gets scarce. Suet helps chickadees meet their increased energy needs in cold weather.
Water
Chickadees need a fresh water source for drinking and bathing. This is especially critical in winter when access to liquid water is limited.
Grit
Grit such as sand, fine gravel, or crushed eggshells is consumed by chickadees to help grind and digest seeds in their muscular gizzard.
Calcium and Other Minerals
Chickadees require calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for bone health and metabolic functions. These are obtained from foods like suet, eggshells, bone fragments, and from mineral sources in the wild.
In summary, chickadees are omnivores requiring a combination of high-protein insect food, plant matter like seeds and fruits, suet, grit, water, and minerals. Access to this diverse nutritious diet is key to attracting chickadees and maintaining their health. This informs what foods we offer chickadees at backyard feeders.
The Best Bird Feed for Chickadees
When it comes to offering chickadees their preferred foods in our yards, excellent options include:
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
The small size and thin shells of these sunflower seeds make them easy for chickadees to handle. Sunflower seeds provide carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. They can be served directly on platform feeders or in tube feeders with small ports.
Suet
Suet is essentially hardened animal fat, usually made from beef or pork. Offer suet in cages or mesh bags to give chickadees a concentrated energy source. Suet also provides needed fat and calories in winter. Look for no-melt suet in warm climates.
Peanut Pieces
Chickadees are able to crack and eat small chunks of shelled peanuts. Peanuts offer protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates.
Nyjer Seed
The small size of nyjer seed makes it perfect for chickadees. Nyjer is high in oil content and calories to help chickadees maintain energy. Use nyjer in special mesh feeders.
Dried Mealworms
Dried mealworms are a healthy substitute for live insects when chickadees need more protein. Mealworms contain essential amino acids.
Fruit
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and currants can be served to supplement chickadees’ diet. Fruit provides natural sugars and vitamins.
Cracked Corn
Cracked corn is enjoyed by chickadees. The small pieces give chickadees access to carbohydrates from corn.
Oatmeal
Plain oatmeal, either cooked or dry, makes a tasty winter treat for chickadees. The oats supply carbohydrates and fiber.
Peanut Butter
Chickadees will eat peanut butter spread on pine cones, bark, or feeders. Opt for all-natural brands without extra sugar.
Grape Jelly
In moderation, grape jelly is adored by chickadees. Use low-sugar, all-fruit jelly without high-fructose corn syrup.
Crushed Eggshells
These provide calcium and grit to aid chickadee digestion. Bake shells to sterilize and then crush into small pieces.
Finely Chopped Nuts
Chopped peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts give chickadees nutritious food they can easily bite-size. Avoid large pieces.
Live and Dried Mealworms
Chickadees eagerly feed on live and dried mealworms, an excellent source of protein.
Chopped Fruit and Berries
Chopped apples, pears, bananas, grapes, cranberries, blueberries, etc. provide vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
Food | Key Nutrients |
---|---|
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds | Protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats |
Suet | Fat, calories |
Peanut Pieces | Protein, fat, carbohydrates |
Nyjer Seed | Oil, calories |
Dried Mealworms | Protein |
Fruit | Natural sugars, vitamins |
Cracked Corn | Carbohydrates |
Oatmeal | Carbohydrates, fiber |
Peanut Butter | Protein, fat |
Grape Jelly | Natural sugars |
Crushed Eggshells | Calcium, grit |
Chopped Nuts | Protein, fat, vitamins |
Live/Dried Mealworms | Protein |
Chopped Fruit/Berries | Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates |
This variety of foods provides the well-rounded nutritional profile chickadees need. Offering several of these options will satisfy chickadees while also supporting variation in their diet. Adjust food choices by season, favoring more suet, fruit, and nuts in winter and more insect-based foods in spring and summer.
Feeder Tips for Chickadees
To get the most out of chickadee feeders, consider the following tips:
Use Smaller Mesh Feeders
Chickadees prefer smaller spaces and perches. Use feeders with 1⁄2 inch by 1-inch mesh. This prevents bigger birds from taking over.
Place Feeders at Chickadee Height
Set up feeders about 5 to 6 feet off the ground for easy chickadee access. They feed more comfortably at their level.
Add Roofed Feeders and Guards
This gives chickadees shelter while they feed. Guards also protect from aerial attacks by predators.
Separate Feeders for Different Foods
This prevents competition and allows chickadees to pick and choose. Space feeders at least 3 feet apart.
Use Feeders With Perches
Chickadees like clinging to perches while eating. Perches also keep food off the ground.
Funnel Feeders Deter Bullies
Funnel or tube feeders with small openings provide protected access for chickadees. Large birds can’t steal the food as easily.
Clean Feeders Regularly
Dirty feeders can spread disease. Use a weak bleach solution and scrub brush to keep feeders sanitary.
Use Feeders With Drainage Holes
This prevents water from pooling and food from spoiling. Chickadees prefer dry food.
Place Feeders Near Vegetation
Chickadees feel safer feeding when they have brush, trees, or shrubs nearby to take cover. Avoid open areas.
Offer Water for Bathing and Drinking
Use a bird bath, fountain, or other water source. Dripping water attracts chickadees.
Following these tips will create an inviting, safe feeding space for chickadees. Optimal feed plus well-designed feeders encourages chickadees to visit.
Conclusion
If you wish to delight chickadees in your yard, providing their preferred foods is the perfect way to roll out the welcome mat. Chickadees thrive on a diverse, nutrition-packed diet that includes suet, black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer, peanut pieces, fruit, mealworms, oatmeal, and other items. Serve these foods in specialized feeders suited to chickadee comfort and access. With the right diet and dining setup, you’re sure to have chickadees flocking happily to your yard. The musical voices, amusing antics, and bright beauty of chickadees will add joy to your outdoor space. So grab some suet and sunflower seeds and get ready to host those crowd-pleasing, acrobatic puffballs that we call chickadees!