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IN THIS ISSUE:

• New At The Nest
• Current Clearance Items
• Bird Profile: Chickadees
• The BestNest.com Giveaway Winner is ...
• Free Merchandise to be Awarded Every Issue

more info	Droll Yankees New Generation Bird Feeder, 15" Heirloom Gold DY-CJM15HG Now: $27.99	more info	Droll Yankees New Generation Peanut Feeder, 9" Heirloom Gold DY-CJM9HGP Now: $25.99	more info	Droll Yankees New Generation Finch Flocker, 36" Yellow DY-CJTHM36Y Now: $36.99
more info	Droll Yankees Squirrel Guard, Pole Mounted DY-SQ-PM Now: $34.99	more info	Green Esteem Planter Topiary, Green, 12" GRE-29818 Now: $34.45	more info	Pondmaster PM 2002 Skimmer/Filter System PON-02240 Now: $97.95
more info	Pondmaster WFP 5300 Direct Drive Waterfall Pump, 5280 gph PON-02785 Now: $191.95	more info	Colibri Deluxe Oriole Feeder, 24 oz. PP-750 Now: $20.95	more info	Pine Tree Farms Log Jammer Suet Feeder PTF-5000 Now: $19.95

A common sight in most backyards, chickadees are small, dark-capped and black-bibbed birds related to the titmouse family. They are known for their acrobatic feeding abilities and the sound of their distinctive call from which they get their name: chickadee-dee-dee-dee. What makes chickadees so special? Let's take a look:

There are seven different types of chickadees found in North America: Black-capped, Carolina, Mountain, Mexican, Boreal, Chestnut-backed, and Gray-headed. The most prevalent chickadees are the Black-capped and the Carolina, while the others are more confined to specific regions. All chickadees have dark caps and black bibs with only slight variations in color, with exception to the Boreal Chickadee, which has a brown cap, back, and sides. In all types, both the males and females look alike. Though often found in pairs, it is not unusual to see chickadees in flocks of eight or more birds, especially during the winter months. These flocks will guard a territory of up to 20 acres, dive-bombing predators that come to close to the nesting areas. Chickadees are non-migratory birds, so it is not unusual to see them in your backyard throughout the year.

Chickadees have a varied diet that consists of insects, seed, suet, berries, spiders and their eggs. They are also one of the easiest birds to attract to a backyard feeder. They are particularly fond of black oil sunflower seed and peanuts, so any type of sunflower/mixed seed feeder or peanut tube feeder can be used to feed chickadees. Because of their acrobatic feeding abilities, you can also use a variety of different feeders that will exclude larger birds, such as upside-down suet feeders and mesh tube peanut feeders. Chickadees are very energetic and fun to watch, so don't be afraid to experiment with different types of feeders and food. Many people have success with seed mixes, different types of suet (such as suet with fruit or insects, seed cakes, and bells. Chickadees are also quite tame, and many people have success with hand feeding the birds using seed or nut pieces.

Chickadees prefer to build their nests in soft, sometimes rotting wood. Chickadee nests are made from soft fibers, such as wool, fur, and feathers. They are known to use abandoned woodpecker holes or other natural openings; however, they will use man-made nest boxes. There are a variety of different chickadee specific houses available, ranging from basic nest boxes to decorative houses. If you are interested in purchasing a chickadee house, pay special attention on the dimensions of the house. A chickadee house needs to be at least 4 inches wide and 4 inches deep. The height should be a minimum of 8 inches, and the entrance hold should be 1 1/8" in diameter. Chickadee houses can be mounted in a variety of different methods, and the mounting height above ground should be between 4 and 15 feet.

If you are in need of a new feeder or house, there are many feeders and houses suitable for chickadees available at www.bestnest.com. We offer seed, suet, and several informative books, such as the Stokes' Guide to Bird Behavior Volume 1. If you would like more personal assistance, please email us at [email protected] or call 877-369-5446.

more info	Birding Company Chickadee House Kit BCO-000606 Now: $13.95	more info	Black Oil Sunflower Seed, 5 lbs BN-BOS-05 Now: $2.85	more info	Chickadee House COV-10041 Now: $22.95
more info	Droll Yankees New Generation Peanut Feeder, 9" Heirloom Gold DY-CJM9HGP Now: $25.99	more info	Heartwood New Chick Chickadee House, White Birch HW-075D Reg: $45.95 Now: $39.95	more info	Pine Tree Farms Insect Suet Cake, 12 oz. PTF-1470 Now: $2.95
more info	Rubicon Small Upside-Down Suet Feeder, Green & Driftwood RUB-SUDF100HD Reg: $24.95 Sale: $22.45	more info	Chickadee/Wren Nesting Box SCH-NBS Reg: $34.95 Now: $32.95	more info	Stokes Guide to Bird Behavior, Volume I STK-GTBB-1 Now: $14.95