Differences between Chickadee and Condor

Chickadee and Condor are two classes of birds that belong to the Paridae and Cathartidae families respectively.

Chickadee is a group of North American songbirds that symbolizes energy and courage. The name is analogous to the bird’s call notes that is usually used to send out alarms. It is interesting that the number of times ‘dee’ is called out is based on the type of predator. Chickadees are capable of producing 13 types of complex vocalizations. Chickadees are small birds with a round head and long tail. Their crown, forehead, and neck are deep black in color. The cheeks and belly are pure white, while the back is grey. The wings and tail are streaks of white and black. The eyes of Chickadees are brown. Their bill is short, slightly curved, and black. Chickadee is an inquisitive bird and quick in spotting preys and feeders. It is especially known for its exemplary memory. The bird conceals about 80,000 seeds in different places during the summer and reclaims them efficiently in the winter. Chickadees are also capable of identifying and remembering every aspect of their environment.

Condor includes two species of New World Vultures, namely, the Andean Condor and the California Condor. They are one of the largest flying birds in the world. The Andean Condor is characterized by black feathers with white patches at the tip of wings. Its neck is covered with white fur, while the head is red and bald. The bird’s talons are straight and blunt and its beak is curved. The California Condor is generally black with white patches below the wings. The neck and head are yellowish orange without any feathers. These birds do not have talons and the backward toe for grasping. The beak is hooked and has an egg tooth.

Where are Chickadee and Condor found?

Chickadees generally live in dense forests and coniferous regions. However, they can also be found in open grasslands and open woods near waterbeds. They have also adapted themselves to live in parks and gardens in cities. They are regular visitors at backyards. Chickadees are native to North America. They exist there in huge population. There are seven Chickadee species in the continent. Some of them are Mountain Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Mexican Chickadee, and Black-capped Chickadee. Similar birds exist in Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, only the North American group of birds are known as Chickadees. The other identical birds are mostly known as tits.

Andean Condors are found in mountains, deserts, and coasts. They exist in Andes mountains and parts of western South America. On the other hand, California Condors live in rocky shrubs and coniferous forests. They can be found in southern parts of Californian deserts besides Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.

What do Chickadee and Condor eat?

Chickadees are omnivores. They mostly eat insects, snails, spiders, worms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and ants besides berries, seeds, and fruits. Occasionally the birds also eat small invertebrates and carrion.

Andean Condors and California Condors are both carnivores and scavengers. They eat dead deer, sheep, pigs, cows, and other large mammals. On rare occasions they hunt small creatures like rodents, rabbits, and small reptiles.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Chickadee and Condor

• Chickadee do not eat Fish while Condor eat Fish.
• Chickadee do not eat Frogs while Condor eat Frogs.
• Both Chickadee and Condor eat Lizards.
• Both Chickadee and Condor eat Snakes.
• Chickadee do not eat Turtles while Condor eat Turtles.
• Chickadee do not eat Squirrels while Condor eat Squirrels.
• Chickadee do not eat Gophers while Condor eat Gophers.
• Chickadee do not eat Baby Ducks while Condor eat Baby Ducks.
• Chickadee do not eat Mice while Condor eat Mice.

Size of Chickadee and Condor?

When it comes to size, Chickadees are small birds. They are 2.4-5.5 inches long and have a wingspan of six to eight inches.. Andean Condors are one of the largest flying birds in the world with a height of nearly four feet and a wingspan of 10 feet. California Condors are nearly as large with a height of 3.5-4.5 feet and a wingspan of about 9.8 feet. They are the largest flying birds in North America.

The weight of Chickadees depends on the species. The average weight is 0.29-0.39 ounces. while Condors are also huge in terms of weight. Andean Condors weigh 16.9-33 pounds. Meanwhile, the average weight of California Condors is 18-20 pounds.

Where do Chickadee and Condor nest?

Chickadees generally build their nests in wooded areas, four to 15 feet above the ground. They prefer tree holes and cavities. They also use boxes and birdhouses. Sometimes, the male and female partners dig cavities in the trees. The female bird chooses the nesting site and constructs the nest. The nest of Chickadees is shaped like a cup and made of twigs, leaves, and other material on the outer. It is lined with soft material like moss, rabbit fur, and feathers on the inside. Chickadee eggs are pinkish white with dark speckles. The female incubates them for 12-13 days during which time she is fed by her partner. After the eggs hatch, both partners share the duties of feeding and protecting the young ones. The chicks fledge when they are about 16 days old.

Andean Condors make their nests with sticks on safe rims of rocks or ledges of cliffs in higher elevation. Their eggs are bluish white with a weight of 9.9 ounces. Both partners take turns to incubate the eggs for 58-60 days. The chicks fledge at around six months but continue to be under the care of their parents for 10 months to two years. California Condors use mountain caves or tree cavities to lay eggs. They surround the eggs with gravel, sticks, or bones. The eggs are bluish green in color and weigh 10 ounces. Both male and female share duties of incubating and nesting the young ones. The eggs hatch after 53-60 days. The young ones fledge in about four months but remain with the parents for a year.

How long do Chickadee and Condor live?

The average lifespan of Chickadees in the wild is three to seven years. Most nestlings face threat of being eaten by hawks, owls, and other mammals that climb trees. The longest known lived Chickadee was 11 years and five months old.

Both species of Condors have a long lifespan. Andean Condors live up to 50 years in the wild. The oldest lived bird died at 80 years in January 2010 at the Beardsley Zoo in USA. California Condors have an average lifespan of 60 years. Of the living California Condors, the oldest is a male that hatched in April 1966.

Are Chickadee or Condor migratory birds?

Chickadees are typically non-migratory. They reside in their territories throughout the year. While adult birds always stay put by huddling together in small flocks during winters, the young ones may travel long distances when population at their territories increases after breeding. However, this cannot be termed as migration. Winters are managed without migration as Chickadees have special adaptations. They have dense plumes that help them maintain body temperature during the day. At nights, they roost in flocks. The birds also stay active to keep themselves warm. Further, Chickadees store seeds and grains in summers so they don’t run out of food during winters.

Andean Condors and California Condors are not typical migratory birds although they fly long distances. They do not travel in search of new habitats, instead travel nearly 125 miles a day looking for food.

Do Chickadee and Condor fly in flocks?

A flock of Chickadees is called banditry. These birds are extremely gregarious. They are friendly with birds of their own species as well as other birds. They use special calls to interact with their flocks. The birds also follow a complex social hierarchy. Chickadees mostly live in pairs during the breeding season. In other times, they live in small flocks of four to 12 birds. In winters they roost in flocks to maintain body temperature.

A group of Condors is called a Condo. Andean Condors are mostly solitary. They live in small groups of three or four having both male and female birds. They may roost in colonies. Contrastingly, California Condors are more social. They spend time with their groups and also follow a social hierarchy. They eat together but following a pecking order.

Are Chickadee or Condor protected?

Chickadees are protected under the law in North America. According to the law, it is illegal to hunt, harm, trap or transport the birds or their nests.

Both Condor species are protected by law in the USA. They are categorized under the Endangered Species Act, under which harming or killing them is punishable.

Are Chickadee or Condor endangered?

Chickadees are neither threatened nor endangered. They exist in booming numbers. However, their population is expected to get scattered and their habitats are likely to get distributed owing to global warming and climate change.

Andean Condors are listed as threatened. They are extinct in Venezuela. Their population is under threat because of hunting by farmers to save their livestock and poisoning from pesticides. They also face danger from electrocution, eating trash, and exposure to pesticides. California Condors are listed as critically endangered. Only a few hundreds of them are remaining but their numbers are increasing due to captive breeding. These birds are being reinstated into the wild.

Can Chickadee and Condor fly?

In flight, the wings and tail of Chickadees are spread out. The birds move up and down while flying and usually do not fly in a straight line. They flap their wings vigorously in short intervals. The maximum flying speed of Chickadees is 12 miles per hour. Chickadees either fly alone or in flocks that may also include other species of birds. They are capable of performing acrobatics while hanging on to trees or bird feeders.

The Condor species fly by using thermals and flap their wings as infrequently as once an hour. Owing to their large size, they prefer to fly in windy regions. They can reach flying speeds of 55 miles an hour and soar at altitudes of 15,000 feet.

Can Chickadee and Condor swim?

Chickadees are small birds with feet adapted for perching. Therefore, they cannot swim. But the birds visit shallow waters for drinking and bathing. They are also capable of bathing in cold icy waters during winters.

Condors are not built to swim. They are not water birds. They are huge and fly in search of food.

Mating patterns among Chickadee and Condor

Chickadees attain sexual maturity when they are six to eight months old. Soon after winter, the flocks start disintegrating and the birds will become more territorial. There is no particular mating ritual that Chickadees follow. The male Chickadees become aggressive to defend their territories. Some of them also feed their partners. The male and female engage in singing and fluttering of wings during courtship. The female recites ‘dee’ multiple times to keep her partner undistracted. At the same time, she is observant of the singing competitions between her partner and other males. Chickadees generally raise only one brood each year. The clutch could have one to 13 eggs depending on the species. The female lays one egg per day. Older females lay the maximum number of eggs. The female bird incubates the eggs and also protects them from predators. She is supported by her partner after hatching to tend to the young ones.

Andean Condors reach sexual maturity when they turn five or six years. They have the longest breeding cycle among all birds in the world. They reproduce during alternate years. During courtship, the male’s neck changes color to bright yellow. He hisses and coos while dancing and hopping around the female with his wings partly spread out. The partners share a close bonding and raise the young ones jointly for a year. California Condors start mating when they are six to eight years old. They lay one egg every two years. Courtship will include the male performing displays, extending his wings, and dancing by moving his legs. The female also performs displays with her wings. The partners share the responsibility of incubating and tending to the young ones. The female California Condors are known to be able to reproduce asexually without mating.

When is the mating season for Chickadee and Condor ?

The mating season for Chickadees occurs during April-June. The birds start pairing in the beginning of April and by the start of May they start building their nests.

Andean Condors mate during February-June. In the case of California Condors, the mating season is from December to April.

Do Chickadee and Condor mate for life?

Chickadees are usually monogamous. Their relationships last for several years or for life. In some cases, the female may dissociate from her partner if she finds another mate from a higher status in the hierarchy.

Both Condor species are monogamous and mate for life. They also live with their offspring for longer than most other birds.

How do Chickadee and Condor sleep?

Chickadees sleep in tree holes, bird boxes, or ledges of buildings. They prefer to sleep alone except in winters when they huddle together with their flock. During winters, the birds eat plenty of seeds and insects to endure the long cold nights when they will not be able to venture out for foraging.

Andean Condors and California Condors roost in groups on elevated cliffs or tall trees to keep themselves safe from predators on the ground. They however sleep near their nests during the breeding season.

Can Chickadee and Condor be eaten?

There have been instances of people eating the meat of Chickadees in the past. However, harming and hunting of these birds is illegal under modern laws.

Humans are not known to consume Condor meat. As these birds are scavengers, it is not healthy to eat them. Further, modern laws do not permit killing of Condors.

Can you hunt Chickadee or Condor?

Chickadees may have been hunted in the past for their meat. However, modern laws do not permit hunting, harming, or trapping of the birds.

Reduction in the population of California Condors has chiefly been attributed to hunting by farmers who killed the birds to save their livestock. Farmers have also killed Andean Condors. Therefore, to save these species that are endangered, laws have been introduced prohibiting any kind of harming or killing.

Can you feed Chickadee or Condor?

Chickadees have never been domesticated by humans. They are nevertheless offered food at bird feeders. People usually give them sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet blends.

Condors are protected in captivity and at breeding centers to save them from extinction. Here, the birds are fed meat, rodents, chicken, and fish.