Our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition is drawing to a close, but the excitement continues as we introduce more delightful birds! Today, we're thrilled to showcase a charming little bird from the family of titmice and chickadees: the Azure Tit!

Azure Tits are small songbirds with a striking appearance, native to parts of Russia and Central Asia. Primarily resident birds, they tend to stay within their range throughout the year, not undertaking long migratory journeys. Their close relationship with titmice and chickadees is evident in their behavior and adorable appearance, making them a favorite among bird enthusiasts.

The Azure Tit's habitat is quite diverse, encompassing various types of forests, including cultivated areas like orchards and gardens. This adaptability allows them to thrive in different environments. Their diet is as varied as their habitat, consisting of a mix of insects and plant material, providing them with the necessary nutrients to flourish.

During the non-breeding season, Azure Tits often join mixed foraging flocks. These flocks can include other tit species and even warblers, demonstrating their sociable nature and ability to collaborate with other bird species in search of food.

When it comes to nesting, the Azure Tit displays remarkable versatility. They prefer nesting in cavities, which can range from natural holes in trees to man-made structures or even nooks in rock piles. The female Azure Tit skillfully constructs the nest cup inside the chosen cavity, carefully lining it with soft materials like animal fur and moss to ensure a cozy environment for her eggs.

The Azure Tit joins Birdorable today as our 637th cute cartoon bird. Be sure to check out our selection of apparel and gifts featuring our Birdorable Azure Tit.

Tomorrow our Bonanza will reveal a widespread species of shorebird that is named for the color of its belly during the breeding season. Can you guess tomorrow's species?

Today, as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2013, we are excited to introduce a delightful small European species to our collection. Our third Bonanza bird, known for its distinctive appearance, is the Crested Tit.

The Crested Tit, a member of the tit family, is a charming little songbird that shares a close relationship with chickadees, titmice, and other types of tits. It's particularly known for its striking crest, which adds a touch of elegance to its petite frame. This small bird can be found in various forested habitats throughout Europe, where it's often referred to as the European Crested Tit.

In terms of diet, Crested Tits are quite versatile. They primarily feed on insects, which they skillfully forage from the bark and leaves of trees, and also consume a variety of seeds. During times of food abundance, these intelligent birds exhibit the remarkable behavior of caching food. This means they store away food such as seeds and nuts in various hidden spots, which they can return to during scarcer times.

Kuifmees (Crested Tit) by Maarten Visser (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Crested Tits are also known to frequent feeding stations, where they can often be spotted alongside other small birds. Their playful and curious nature, combined with their distinctive appearance, makes them a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Tomorrow, as we celebrate Independence Day in the United States, we will introduce a bird with "American" in the name!

Dive into the world of chickadees with these fascinating and fun facts! Known for their playful nature and delightful chirps, chickadees are more than just tiny birds flitting through your backyard. Here we go:

• There are seven species of chickadee in the world. Chickadees, along with titmice, belong to the family Paridae. This family of songbirds also includes birds known as tits.
• The Black-capped Chickadee is the state bird of both Maine and Massachusetts. It is also the provincial bird of New Brunswick.
• The Grey-headed Chickadee is also known as the Siberian Tit. Strangely, it does not have a grey head.
• These little birds are known as "chickadees" because of their alarm call. This type of name is onomatopoetic -- the word is the sound that it describes.
• The more "dee" notes at the end of a chickadee call indicate increasing levels of agitation. For instance, a chickadee may end their call with just one "dee" when a known person fills a favorite bird feeder. An owl roosting near the feeding station would warrant many more "dee" notes.
• This is what the call of the Black-capped Chickadee sounds like:
   
  
• While some species may move seasonally, for the most part chickadees are non-migratory. Passing migrant species may seek out feeding flocks of chickadees (finding their "chick-a-dee" call familiar) as they stop along their migration route. As flocks of chickadees attract migratory birds, they also attract birdwatchers!

• Chickadees are known to store food items like seeds or insect larvae in times of abundance. The cached food may be retrieved in leaner times. The Mexican Chickadee is the only chickadee which does not cache food.
• Chickadees are cavity nesters. They use old woodpecker holes or excavate their own cavities in rotted or soft wood. They will also use birdhouses.
• Chestnut-backed Chickadees like to line their nests with animal hair, with fur from animals like coyotes, skunk, rabbits, and others making up to half of the nest's materials.
• A group of chickadees can be called a banditry of chickadees. This collective noun probably refers to the mask-like appearance of chickadee species.
• The range of Black-capped Chickadees overlaps with that of Carolina Chickadees. They look so much alike that even the birds themselves may have a hard time telling each other apart - they hybridize! Offspring of a mixed pair sing a song that is three notes long. That's one less note than the Carolina parent, and one more note than the Black-capped parent!

Five species of chickadee found in North American can be found right here on Birdorable! See the following species pages:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Boreal Chickadee
• Carolina Chickadee
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee
• Mountain Chickadee

1. The Black-crested Titmouse is closely related to the Tufted Titmouse. They hybridize where their ranges overlap (in Central Texas) and they used to be considered the same species.

2. The bird's DNA suggests that the Black-crested Titmouse diverged from the Tufted TItmouse about 250,000 years ago.

3. It's 'peter, peter, peter' call is similar to that of the Tufted Titmouse, but shorter.

4. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, nuts, insects and insect eggs.

5. The crest of a female Black-crested Titmouse is actually dark gray.

6. Another name for the Black-crested Titmouse is the Mexican Titmouse.

7. Black-crested Titmice are considered residents throughout their range, which covers much of central Texas, and parts of Oklahoma and Mexico. They do not migrate.

8. Black-crested Titmice are cavity nesters, and have been known to line their nests with horse hair, feathers, onion skins, and even tissue paper.

9. The Black-crested Titmouse is one of our cute Birdorable birds! The Black-crested Titmouse was added to Birdorable on November 10th, 2010. Check out our other cute tits and chickadees.

Photo by martytdx (source: Flickr)

Dive into the world of avian art with our latest Birdorable coloring pages, featuring two charming and beloved birds: the Black-capped Chickadee and the Long-tailed Tit. Whether you're a budding birdwatcher, an aspiring artist, or simply looking for a fun and relaxing activity, these coloring pages are perfect for people of all ages.

These additions to our coloring page collection offer a delightful way to engage with the beauty of the bird world. The Long-tailed Tit, a small bird that graces Europe and Asia with its presence, is notable for its tail that remarkably extends longer than its body, providing a unique and interesting subject for coloring. On the other hand, the Black-capped Chickadee, a familiar face across large parts of North America, brings its own charm to the table. As a member of the tit family, this cute songbird embodies the joy and liveliness of the avian world.

To get started on your artistic journey, simply head over to our Coloring Pages section to download these new PDFs. And if you're in need of some color inspiration, our Meet the Birds page offers guidance to help you bring these Birdorable birds to life with accuracy and creativity.

We love seeing how our coloring pages are used at home, in classrooms, or at events, and we're always excited to hear about your experiences. If you've enjoyed coloring our Birdorable birds, don't hesitate to send us photos of the coloring pages in action or the final masterpieces. Your artwork could even be featured on our blog, showcasing your creativity to fellow bird lovers and artists alike.

So, grab your crayons, markers, or colored pencils, and let the coloring begin! Whether you're a seasoned bird enthusiast or just discovering the wonders of the avian world, these coloring pages offer a delightful escape into nature's beauty and the enchanting world of birds.

The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, inquisitive bird, a familiar sight and sound in the northern half of North America, where it is a year-round resident. This bird has won over many with its boldness and pizzazz, especially considering its diminutive size. Often seen flitting about in mixed flocks alongside nuthatches, creepers, and woodpeckers, the Black-capped Chickadee is a dynamic addition to any backyard feeder, bringing life and energy to the garden tableau.

One of the most endearing qualities of the Black-capped Chickadee is its distinctive vocalizations. With a variety of calls, the most famous is undoubtedly the iconic "chickadee-dee-dee." This call is not just a random string of notes but serves a critical purpose in chickadee communication. Intriguingly, the number of "dees" can indicate the level of threat the bird perceives. More "dees" typically means a higher level of alarm, a fascinating example of the complexity within bird communication.

For avid bird lovers and casual observers alike, the challenge of decoding the Black-capped Chickadee’s alarm call can be quite engaging. Listening closely and counting the "dees" can provide a glimpse into the chickadee’s world and its perception of the environment.

If you haven't had the chance to experience this firsthand, or if the quick pace of the chickadee's chatter proves too challenging to count in the moment, recordings can be a valuable tool. Playing a recording of the Black-capped Chickadee’s call can not only assist you in becoming familiar with the call itself but also in honing your ability to discern the subtle differences in the number of "dees," enhancing your bird-listening skills.

Try to count the number of "dees" you hear, next time a Chickadee is near! Or give it a try with this recording:

So next time a Black-capped Chickadee visits your feeder or you hear the familiar "chickadee-dee-dee," take a moment to appreciate this small bird's big character and maybe try to count the "dees".

Birdorable offers a range of Black-capped Chickadee-themed items that capture the essence of this cheerful bird in a fun, stylized form. From t-shirts to other gifts, these items are perfect for anyone who has been charmed by the chickadee’s cheeky demeanor and wants to carry a little piece of that joy with them.

Blue Tits are small passerine birds that live in parts of Europe and Asia. They are acrobatic little birds, entertaining to watch in garden feeding stations. In the United Kingdom in the 1960's, Blue Tits became known for their intelligence when they would open foil tops on milk bottles to eat the cream inside. Both Blue Tits and (European) Robins had already been stealing cream out of bottles prior to WWII, when the milk was delivered without lids. With the advent of the foil tops, Blue Tits figured out how to pull off the foil to continue stealing the creamy treat. This learned behavior was passed down from generation to generation in the Blue Tits, but the Robins never figured it out. Today the behavior is not nearly as common due to a number of factors - including a sharp decline in home milk delivery!

The Blue Tit has been on Birdorable since August 2007. Be sure to check out our great collection of Blue Tit t-shirts & gifts!

The new Birdorable Long-tailed Tit may be one of the cutest Birdorables yet! The Long-tailed Tit is a small perching bird found in Europe and Asia, easily recognized by its remarkably long tail, which is more than half of its total body length. These birds are known for their tiny size, fluffy appearance, and sociable nature, often seen in small, lively flocks.

Our Birdorable version of the Long-tailed Tit perfectly captures its adorably distinctive features, making it a delightful addition to any bird lover's collection.