Blue Chickadee (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Introduction
A species of small passerine bird in the Paridae family. This large family includes 8 genera and 58 species. This variety is present in the western Palearctic zone, mainly in Europe except in northern Scandinavia where the temperatures are too cold for the bird. It also lives in the middle mountains below 1,500 meters above sea level.
A species of small passerine bird in the Paridae family. This large family includes 8 genera and 58 species. This variety is present in the western Palearctic zone, mainly in Europe except in northern Scandinavia where the temperatures are too cold for the bird. It also lives in the middle mountains below 1,500 meters above sea level.
Apparence
It takes its name from the color of its bluish cap, its wings like its tail are similarly blue. Its white head is barred with three distinct dark blue to black lines. The adult male is easily distinguished by more marked tints on the plumage, mainly on the crown. The female like most birds is much duller. The underparts of the bird are lemon-yellow. The eye is dark, generally black in color, its beak and legs are bluish gray. Juveniles are differentiated by pale colors and a greyish cap.
Measurement
Size: 11.5 cm
Wingspan: 18 to 20 cm
Weight: between 9 and 12 g
Longevity: 12 years
Nesting and reproduction
Nesting period: April May, June, July
Number of broods: 2
Number of eggs: 6-12 eggs of 30 mm white color speckled with brown
Hatching duration: 13-14 days 1st flight: 18-20 days
Habitat
Blue chickadee live primarily in forest, the ecological preference of which is the presence of deciduous trees, as the bird clearly avoids pure coniferous forests. The majority of specimens are found at low altitude below 1,200 m. It goes beyond the forest environment during the breeding season, not hesitating to nest in the city, in the gardens and in the countryside. Before the arrival of winter, some emigrate towards the South, the sedentary wintering in the cavities available, near their territory of nesting.
Feed
Most of the year, the Chickadee is mainly insectivorous, consuming caterpillars, various insects, it particularly likes aphids, which is why gardeners really like the presence of the bird. In the inter-breeding season, the species becomes distinctly granivorous and frugivorous, while continuing to be insectivorous thanks to forms of insect resistance (eggs, chrysalises). It can cause damage in orchards by attacking buds and fruit, but this is more than compensated by its consumption of insects.
Behavior
The Chickadee, a very active and very agile little bird at the same time. Great greedy, she is constantly on the move looking for her food. She sometimes adopts surprising attitudes for a bird, this is how she positions herself acrobatically upside down, hooked by her clawed fingers. It is often said that the zinzinule or zinzibule tit is mainly in case of danger, warning its congeners with a shrill cry. She also uses this specific cry to intimidate her opponents and rivals.
Reproduction
The Blue Tit usually breeds in early spring, from April to July. Cave nester par excellence, it builds its nest in any cavity, however, it pays particular attention to its size. The most important point for our tit is the entrance to the cavity, indeed it must be sufficiently restricted to avoid any external confrontation.
The nest is mostly made of moss, dry grass and various twigs collected nearby. The interior of the construction is lined with cozy elements, for which she uses animal hair. The female can finally accomplish her duty and lay between 6 to 12 white eggs speckled with brown.
Incubation lasts an average of 2 weeks. The female takes care of the brooding alone, during this time, the male is mainly busy collecting worms and insects to supply his beautiful. The couple take turns caring for their finally hatched offspring. The first flight of the chicks takes place at the age of 20 days, however the attentive parents still take care of the young for a period not exceeding 30 days. A second spawning will take place after the young blue tits have completely left the family nest.
It takes its name from the color of its bluish cap, its wings like its tail are similarly blue. Its white head is barred with three distinct dark blue to black lines. The adult male is easily distinguished by more marked tints on the plumage, mainly on the crown. The female like most birds is much duller. The underparts of the bird are lemon-yellow. The eye is dark, generally black in color, its beak and legs are bluish gray. Juveniles are differentiated by pale colors and a greyish cap.
Measurement
Size: 11.5 cm
Wingspan: 18 to 20 cm
Weight: between 9 and 12 g
Longevity: 12 years
Nesting and reproduction
Nesting period: April May, June, July
Number of broods: 2
Number of eggs: 6-12 eggs of 30 mm white color speckled with brown
Hatching duration: 13-14 days 1st flight: 18-20 days
Habitat
Blue chickadee live primarily in forest, the ecological preference of which is the presence of deciduous trees, as the bird clearly avoids pure coniferous forests. The majority of specimens are found at low altitude below 1,200 m. It goes beyond the forest environment during the breeding season, not hesitating to nest in the city, in the gardens and in the countryside. Before the arrival of winter, some emigrate towards the South, the sedentary wintering in the cavities available, near their territory of nesting.
Feed
Most of the year, the Chickadee is mainly insectivorous, consuming caterpillars, various insects, it particularly likes aphids, which is why gardeners really like the presence of the bird. In the inter-breeding season, the species becomes distinctly granivorous and frugivorous, while continuing to be insectivorous thanks to forms of insect resistance (eggs, chrysalises). It can cause damage in orchards by attacking buds and fruit, but this is more than compensated by its consumption of insects.
Behavior
The Chickadee, a very active and very agile little bird at the same time. Great greedy, she is constantly on the move looking for her food. She sometimes adopts surprising attitudes for a bird, this is how she positions herself acrobatically upside down, hooked by her clawed fingers. It is often said that the zinzinule or zinzibule tit is mainly in case of danger, warning its congeners with a shrill cry. She also uses this specific cry to intimidate her opponents and rivals.
Reproduction
The Blue Tit usually breeds in early spring, from April to July. Cave nester par excellence, it builds its nest in any cavity, however, it pays particular attention to its size. The most important point for our tit is the entrance to the cavity, indeed it must be sufficiently restricted to avoid any external confrontation.
The nest is mostly made of moss, dry grass and various twigs collected nearby. The interior of the construction is lined with cozy elements, for which she uses animal hair. The female can finally accomplish her duty and lay between 6 to 12 white eggs speckled with brown.
Incubation lasts an average of 2 weeks. The female takes care of the brooding alone, during this time, the male is mainly busy collecting worms and insects to supply his beautiful. The couple take turns caring for their finally hatched offspring. The first flight of the chicks takes place at the age of 20 days, however the attentive parents still take care of the young for a period not exceeding 30 days. A second spawning will take place after the young blue tits have completely left the family nest.