Chickadees are tiny, curious and famously bold — often the first birds to discover a new feeder. Their diet shifts with the seasons, but they are always happy to visit for a good snack.
What chickadees eat
Chickadees are omnivores. In spring and summer they eat mostly insects, caterpillars and spiders, which provide protein for themselves and their chicks. In autumn and winter they rely more on seeds and berries. They are also well known for caching food — hiding thousands of seeds to find again later, with a remarkable memory for the spots.
Their feeder favourites
At the feeder, chickadees love black-oil sunflower seeds, suet and peanuts. A charming quirk is that they usually grab one seed at a time, fly off to a branch to hammer it open or hide it, then dart straight back for another.
How to attract chickadees
Chickadees are easy to attract and not fussy about feeder type — they will use hanging tube feeders, suet cages and trays. Offer sunflower seed and suet, provide water, and put up a nest box, as chickadees readily nest in gardens. Their boldness means they often become the tamest visitors in the yard.