Mexican Chickadee Identification

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A small songbird with a black cap, white cheek, black bib, gray upperparts, and a small black bill. The gray flanks and extensive black bib make this the darkest North American chickadee.

Extensive black bib and gray underparts distinguish Mexican Chickadee from similar species, and no other chickadees occur within its range.

A gray-backed chickadee with a black cap and white cheeks. Note the extensive black bib and gray flanks as the bird turns and flies.

Active and alert, often serving as a sentinel against predators in large mixed species flocks.

Gleans caterpillars and other small insects from branches and leaves.

Found in coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests and woodlands.

Occurs in coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests and woodlands in Mexico.

See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

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Mountain Chickadee

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Identification

The only chickadee in its range: primarily occurs in northern and central Mexico, barely entering the U.S. in the Chiricahua and Animas Mountains. Darker gray body than other chickadees, with black cap, white cheeks, and extensive black throat. Lacks any warm buffy tones. Restricted to mountainous pine forests, often in mixed flocks with other small songbirds. Listen for rather complex gurgling song and harsh call notes.