The Chickadee. Winter fluff balls. An adorable little bird – sparrow size – that bravely and relentlessly endures our Minnesota Winters with us. It is a real trooper! As we are abandoned by so many of our feathered friends – even our State Bird, the Common Loon – these enduring little fluff balls stay the course. They are very common here – year round – and are very welcome. They are always cheerful and are well noted for their frequent “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. Fun to listen to and so entertaining to watch. Truly a favorite bird of mine – especially in the winter months.
Why do the Winter fluff balls stick around?
Have you ever wondered why the Chickadee doesn’t migrate along with so many other birds? It has to do with the expenditure of energy migration requires combined with an available and appropriate food source if they stay put. Chickadees eat seeds. They do not consume nectar. Chickadees will eat a spider or insect found tucked away in the bark of a tree if they find it. They will also eat sacs of spider eggs. Very often I see Chickadees fly up on my soffits and pluck off a silk enclosed spider egg sac. I purposely don’t sweep these little food treats off the house when cleaning as I know the Chickadees will be looking for them come winter.
Forever opportunists
I remember chopping wood one season and I found an abundance of grubs in the wood. They would tumble out of the exposed wood and land on my chopping block. I also noticed several Chickadees observing my efforts. I stepped away from the chopping block for only a moment and the Chickadees descended upon the hapless grubs. Chickadees are exceptional opportunists.
Winter feeding is a great way to connect with Nature
My love for Chickadees goes way back. I can’t think of a time when I didn’t feed them over winter. I have several feeders out throughout the year. One is a grub block – a combination of mealworms, seeds and nut bits. Woodpeckers, Juncos, Cardinals, Bluebirds – they all seem to love this food mix. But there is not a bird that appreciates those blocks of food more than the Chickadees. I’ll be standing right beside the feeding station and our Winter Fluff Balls will just continue feeding. They pay little attention to me. It’s a cool interaction!
One of the things that makes that particular feeding station so desirable is it’s proximity to a fence line of brush and bramble. The winter fluff balls flit back and forth from the bramble to the feeder all day long. It is their occupation. As I walk along the fence line I see numerous Chickadees poised on the branches and vines. It is quite a commotion! They jump and flit from location to location always on the lookout for a tidbit of food. It is here where I photograph a good many of my little friends. They feel secure and seem eager to pose for me.
The trusting Chickadee pays it back
A good friend of mine has several Chickadees at his shop that will actually drop down into his open hands to snatch a chunk of peanut. Chickadees are almost tame. They seem to have a trust in the people that offer them food. They offer their own companionship. Nature giving back.
I remember a very special Chickadee, Peg Leg Pete. He had but one leg but he managed just fine. Peg Leg Pete was a resident for several years and received special treats. He was very endearing. But he was not to last forever. One cold winter day was to be his last – and he chose the front steps of the house to be his final resting place. A final goodbye assuring me he was OK now. I wouldn’t have to worry about caring for him any longer. He was quite the little Chickadee.
Rescuing a tenacious winter fluff ball
I remember just last year I was out blowing snow and approaching a feeder. The blown stream of snow was getting very close to the feeder and I noticed there was a Chickadee that had not yet startled off. I was curious and looked more closely. This Chickadee had it’s foot caught in the mesh of the feeder! It was stuck.
I stopped the blower and walked over to the struggling Chickadee. He was desperately flapping and trying to pull away. I cradled him in my hand and carefully wiggled his toe loose from the feeder. All the while this fierce winter fluff ball was tearing into my thumb! (I’m glad the little guy wasn’t any larger. He had quite the bite!) Chickadees have powerful beaks for their size. This is so they can readily crack open seeds and nuts. I managed to free the Chickadee and released him. He flew to the nearest tree branch, gave me a bit of a scolding and flew off.
Closing
Want to get closer to Nature? Befriend a Chickadee or two – or a dozen! Their comical antics and tame demeanor are sure to be engaging. When we have something – or someone – to care for in our lives, we become more complete. It is all about giving back. I hope you enjoyed this posting about our Winter Fluff Balls. They can be the best of friends. It just takes a little time and patience.
Check out my Chickadee Gallery. It has a number of the most adorable Chickadees on the web! They are sure to bring a smile to your face. If you need to contact me regarding the prints I have for sale, I can be reached here. Until next time, I wish for you the Gift of Peace.
