Maine State Bird: Black-capped Chickadee
Fact-checked • Updated November 25, 2025
Maine State Bird – Black-capped Chickadee
Maine designated the Black-capped Chickadee as its official state bird in 1927. Massachusetts later selected the same species. Adults show a black cap, pale underparts, and a short bill. Birds remain active through cold months. Populations stay in forests and neighborhoods across Maine in every season.
Why Maine Chose the Black-capped Chickadee as State Bird
Maine made the Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) its official state bird in 1927. Naturalists, teachers, and bird clubs supported the choice. The species lives year-round across the state.
Massachusetts also recognizes the chickadee as a state bird. Only these two states share the species. Most state birds appear in three or more states.
Chickadees stay through winter when most songbirds migrate south. Temperatures drop below zero, yet they remain active. This endurance impressed Maine residents who faced similar conditions.
The bird's curious behavior attracted attention. Chickadees approach backyard feeders without fear. You can stand nearby and they continue feeding. Some land on outstretched hands holding sunflower seeds.
The 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee' call echoes through forests year-round. You hear it in every season. Residents recognize the sound instantly.
Chickadees eat insect larvae and eggs during winter months. This helps control pest populations. Gardeners and foresters benefited from reduced insect damage to trees.
History of Adoption: How the Chickadee Became Maine's Symbol
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Early Interest
Naturalists and Maine Audubon Society members highlighted the chickadee’s abundance and unique behaviors. The bird appeared in classroom lessons, field guides, and local nature programs.
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Public Support
Garden clubs, teachers, and birdwatchers rallied around the chickadee as Maine’s ideal symbol. Communities across the state favored a bird that stayed through winter rather than migrating south.
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Official Recognition
Lawmakers approved the chickadee as the official bird in 1927. The decision reflected broad public enthusiasm for a species familiar in every county.
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Later Codification
The chickadee designation later appeared in state statutes, but the choice itself has remained unchanged since 1927.
What the Black-capped Chickadee Represents
Winter Resilience
The chickadee survives extremely cold temperatures thanks to specialized adaptations. Its endurance reflects the strength associated with northern communities.
Friendly Character
Chickadees often approach people at feeders and show little fear. Their approachable nature symbolizes hospitality and openness.
Intelligence
These birds store thousands of seeds each fall and remember each hiding place. Their remarkable memory and adaptability symbolize resourcefulness.
Year-Round Presence
Because chickadees never migrate, they remain part of daily life in every season. This constancy reflects loyalty and steadfastness.
Forest Stewardship
Chickadees consume insect eggs and larvae, providing natural pest control. Their role supports healthy forests and demonstrates ecological balance.
Physical Characteristics of the Black-capped Chickadee
Distinctive Markings
A black cap and bib, bright white cheeks, and soft gray wings make the chickadee easy to identify. The bold contrast helps it stand out against snowy backgrounds.
Size and Build
The chickadee is a small, compact bird measuring about five inches long. Lightweight and agile, it maneuvers easily among branches.
Plumage
Feather colors stay consistent year-round, though fresh plumage in fall looks slightly brighter than worn feathers in late summer.
Bill and Feeding Adaptations
A short, sturdy bill helps the chickadee crack seeds, chip bark, and reach hidden insect eggs.
Winter Adaptations
Dense feathers and nighttime energy-saving strategies allow the chickadee to withstand long, cold winters.
Behavior & Habits of the Black-capped Chickadee
Famous Call
The 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee' call acts as both communication and warning. More ‘dee’ notes generally signal higher levels of alarm.
Song
Males produce a clear two-note whistle often transcribed as 'fee-bee', especially during early spring breeding displays.
Caching Food
Chickadees hide individual seeds in numerous locations and remember them for months, an essential survival strategy.
Social Structure
Outside the breeding season, chickadees form small mixed-species flocks, which improves foraging success and predator detection.
Nesting
Pairs excavate nesting cavities in dead wood or use existing holes. Females lay clutches of 6–8 eggs, and both parents feed nestlings.
Winter Survival
They reduce body temperature slightly at night to conserve energy, an adaptation known as regulated hypothermia.
Habitat & Conservation
Where to Find Chickadees
They live in forests, suburban neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas across the state. Their adaptability makes them common year-round.
Habitat Needs
Chickadees require a mix of trees, shrubs, and dead wood for nesting cavities. Reliable food sources and water help sustain populations.
Conservation Status
The species is rated Least Concern, and populations remain stable. Chickadees tolerate human development well and benefit from backyard feeders.
Long-Term Trends
Bird count data shows steady numbers with no major declines. Their adaptability supports a strong statewide presence.
Potential Threats
Window collisions, outdoor cats, severe cold snaps, and occasional disease can affect local populations, but overall risk remains low.
How to Help
- Provide sunflower seeds in feeders
- Leave dead trees when safe for nesting cavities
- Install nest boxes
- Offer fresh water in winter
- Avoid pesticides
- Plant native shrubs and trees
- Keep cats indoors
- Clean feeders regularly
Interesting Facts About the Black-capped Chickadee
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Maine adopted the chickadee as state bird in 1927
Black-capped Chickadee Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Black-capped Chickadee. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Also the State Bird of:
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
State statute listing the Black-capped Chickadee as Maine’s official bird. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Detailed profile covering identification, behavior, and ecology. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Overview of habitat, range, and conservation status. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
General information about biology and distribution. • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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