The Outfitters Center's Newest Neighbor

By: Marvin Bouknight Guess who moved into the birdhouse on the front of the Outfitters Center? A pair of Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) has moved in the little bird house and laid 6 eggs! Carolina Chickadees are small birds about 4 inches in length with about a 6 inch wingspan. They are bluish-gray on the back with a white belly and have a black cap and throat, making them easy to identify. The eggs are only about half an inch long and are white with brownish-red spotting. The eggs have hatched and mom and dad chickadee are busy going back and forth stuffing insects, caterpillars, spiders and other small invertebrates into the hungry mouths of the chickadee chicks! Stop by and check out the nest box. You won’t have to wait long to see mom or dad stop by with another meal for the hatchlings! Chickadee peeking out of the birdhouse This one caught the next meal!