The Mountain Chickadee sports a black cap with a white eyebrow. This tiny bird has a large head, plump body with a dull white breast and belly, gray wings, and pale gray flanks.

The Mountain Chickadee inhabits the dry evergreen forests of the western United States. It can be found above 12,000 feet, but also visits low elevations in winter. This active bird hangs upside down from pine cones, foraging for insects or seeds. Mountain Chickadees nest in natural crevices or cavities or woodpecker holes, sometimes excavating a hole in soft, rotten wood. The female lines the cavity with hair or fur.

Chickadees are sure-footed and need no perches.  Hang your feeder in or near a tree, and always use a squirrel guard, because sunflower seeds and nuts are squirrels' favorites, too.

Common from British Columbia south through the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade and Sierra Mountains in California and western Texas.