Discover Massachusetts’ State Bird: The Black-Capped Chickadee

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The State Bird of Massachusetts Is the Black-Capped Chickadee

The state bird of Massachusetts is the black-capped chickadee. This small, friendly bird is found in nearly every corner of the United States and Canada, from forests to fields to gardens. It has a distinctive black cap atop its head that distinguishes it from other birds in the area.

Physical Characteristics

The black-capped chickadee typically measures between 4 and 5 inches in length with a wingspan of 6–7 inches wide. Its body is mostly grayish brown with white on its chest, throat and belly. The most distinguishing feature of this species is its black cap which gives it its name. The tail consists of two equal length feathers that are slightly rounded at their tips and often held cocked upwards when perched or flying short distances.

Habitat & Diet

Black-capped chickadees live all around North America including much of Canada, Alaska, and nearly all states eastward down to Florida (with some exceptions). They prefer deciduous woodlands but can be seen frequenting yards, parks, open fields as well as coniferous areas during migration or winter months when food becomes scarce elsewhere. Their preferred diet consists primarily insects supplemented by fruits such as wild cherry trees along with seeds from grasses like goldenrod or thistle plants during cold months when insect numbers begin to dwindle significantly throughout the area .

Behavior

Black-caped chickadees are known for being social creatures who often flock together in large groups during autumnal migrations possibly reaching up into hundreds even thousands depending on where they’re located geographically speaking at any given time within their habitat range . In general however they tend toward living alone outside those times while eating almost constantly , which helps them stay warm enough through those wintry nights at higher altitudes where temperatures can drop significantly below zero degrees Celsius very quickly! Otherwise these cheerful little birds sing joyfully throughout springtime mating rituals before getting down business nesting after settling into suitable sites near trees shrubbery bushes etcetera by late April early May each year respectively – another interesting trait about them being how fiercely territorial they’ll become against intruders both avian / mammalian alike if need should arise protectively so!