Chickadees are cavity nesters. They carve their cavities out of dead trees starting in April. However, chickadees are selective when it comes to creating their nesting site. They tend to dig several cavities before deciding which one can be their ideal home.
I knew I have discovered one of their trial sites when I spotted a chickadee emerging from a cavity with a mouth full of chips. I had seen this once before, but it was not in a tree that was kept. If this one were kept, I might have the opportunity to see the chicks.
Both members of the mated pair worked on the nest, ferrying mouthfuls of chips out of the possible nest. Over and over, they repeated the exercise.
The chips were carried about three meters away and discarded. They did not want to reveal the nest site by showing a pile of sawdust.
Could a chickadee nest cavity be confused with woodpecker/flicker activity?
Kathryn, possibly for a Downy cavity (the others being larger or wrong shape). However as new cavities are made each year, confusion should not happen.
No hiding place for these nest builders from Alistair’s camera!
Lovely! I hope they decide to nest so we can observe some
tending, feeding and fledging.
Fascinating! I did not know Chickadees were cavity nesters. I was lucky enough to recently observe and photograph a pair of Bushtits in the process of weaving a nest. I hope you’re able to continue to observe this Chickadee pair.