Differences between Chickadee and Heron

Chickadee and Heron are two classes of birds that belong to the Paridae and Ardeidae 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.

Herons are intelligent birds of medium to large size. They are a symbol of beauty with long legs and neck. They are wonderful aviators that can fly at a speed of nearly 30 miles an hour. The Heron family includes several species such as Egrets and Bitterns.

Where are Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons live near freshwater and coasts. While most species are found in the tropics, they do exist in lowland and alpine areas. They can be seen in all parts of the world, except Antarctica.

What do Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons are carnivores that feed on the boundaries of rivers, seas, ponds, and lakes. They are named as one of the smartest birds for their skills in advanced feeding habits and procurement of food. They usually feed on aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, reptiles, insects, eels, and crustaceans. In winters, when these water animals move down to deeper waters, herons manage to hunt smaller birds, rabbits, and squirrels on the land.

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

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

Size of Chickadee and Heron?

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.. Herons are generally about three feet tall. They have broad wings, usually twice their body size. The wings spread out to measure 5.5-6.5 feet.

The weight of Chickadees depends on the species. The average weight is 0.29-0.39 ounces. while Herons usually weigh 4.6-7.3 pounds. The males are bigger and weigh more than the females.

Where do Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons construct their nests close to feeding areas like wetlands and lakes. The nests are built on tall trees to stay safe from predators. It is the female that builds the nest from twigs, roots, and dead grass gathered by the male. The female generally lays three to five eggs that have an incubation period of around 25 days. Once the eggs hatch, both female and male partners participate in getting food for their young ones.

How long do Chickadee and Heron 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.

The average life expectancy of a Heron is five years in the wild. Some young ones do not survive after the first year due to scarcity of food, while some of them fall prey to predators. The longest surviving great wild blue heron is known to have lived for 23 years.

Are Chickadee or Heron 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.

Herons are very mobile, however their migration depends on where they are. They prefer warmer climates, so tend to migrate in winters. After the breeding season, the birds explore new feeding areas and migrate alone or in small groups of 12 during the night. The Grey Herons are mostly residential and stay put in Britain and other parts of Europe. On the other hand, the Great Blue Herons migrate from March to May every year, flying around 7,000 feet above sea level.

Do Chickadee and Heron 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 flock of Herons is called a siege or colony. Herons are mostly solitary birds – they migrate alone or in small groups. However, during the breeding season in spring and summer, they live in colonies. This practise helps them to nest together and protect their young ones from predators.

Are Chickadee or Heron 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.

Herons are an important part of the ecosystem at wetlands. Therefore, they are protected birds under the law of the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and many other countries. This means that killing or trying to kill a Heron is a punishable offence.

Are Chickadee or Heron 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.

Herons are not endangered, however their population may be reducing owing to destruction of their natural habitats and scarcity of food. Meanwhile, some Heron species like Humblot’s Heron and White-bellied Heron are labelled as critically endangered.

Can Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons have a wide wingspan that allows them to fly at speeds of nearly 30 miles an hour. Further, they have 12 rectrices that help them maneuver while flying. The bird is known to cover up to 2,500 miles in six days. Their wings open up wide, their long legs trail freely, while their neck retracts into an S shape during flight.

Can Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons are not basically water birds. They find their catch on the margins of lakes, rivers, and shores – or hover on water to dive in and catch a fish. They have slightly webbed feet, so they may be able to swim occasionally.

Mating patterns among Chickadee and Heron

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.

Herons start mating when they are about three years old. During the breeding season, the male and female birds undergo color changes and develop the nuptial plumage. Herons engage in breeding once a year, atop tall trees in case of larger herons and in bushes for smaller ones. The male and female Herons engage in Circle Fight, Greeting Ceremony, and courtship displays for several days to abate their natural aggression, after which the male demonstrates a gesture of acceptance by offering a stick for the nest to the female.

When is the mating season for Chickadee and Heron ?

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.

Mating season for Herons is usually during March-May in the northern hemisphere and November-April in the southern hemisphere.

Do Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons go through extensive mating rituals, which enhance the bond between the male and female. They stay together for an entire breeding season and sometimes for a few years – however not for life. The birds change partners about four times in their lifetime.

How do Chickadee and Heron 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.

During the day, Herons rest in peaceful and protected places with their neck bent. Sometimes they also sleep standing in water so that vibrations caused by the entry of predators will wake them up. At night, they sleep on high trees to keep themselves safe from the predators on land.

Can Chickadee and Heron 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.

Herons have been part of human meals since bygone times. They were generally roasted or boiled and eaten with spices. The fat in a Heron’s body was thought to have medicinal benefits. However, consumption of Herons has reduced drastically as they are protected birds under the law.

Can you hunt Chickadee or Heron?

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

Herons used to be hunted by humans for meat and feathers besides for sport. However, the bird is now protected by the laws of several countries. They are also protected under treaties for migratory birds. Therefore, hunting Herons is illegal.

Can you feed Chickadee or Heron?

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.

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. If you have to feed a Heron in captivity, feed it with fish, frogs, meat, and eggs.