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			British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide             
                 
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 Black-Capped Chickadee
 Parus atricapillus
 
                       
   
                        Description - This small bird can be identified 
                        by its black cap and bib and white cheeks. The back is 
                        grey with white underparts; the wings are edged with white. 
                        Their characteristic call is a buzzy "chick-a-dee-dee-dee". 
                        
                         
                        Distribution - The black-capped chickadee ranges throughout 
                        all of Canada. They inhabit deciduous and mixed forests 
                        and open woodlands, often wintering in suburban areas. 
                        
                         
                        Biology - The black-capped chickadee feeds on insects, 
                        seeds and berries. They prepare their nest with grass, 
                        fur, plant down, feathers and moss in a hole in a rotten 
                        tree stump, a natural cavity or a bird box. This bird 
                        is constantly active, either hopping, clinging or hanging 
                        from tree branches. 
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