Differences between Chickadee and Vulture

Chickadee and Vulture are two classes of birds that belong to the Paridae and Accipitridae 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.

Vultures are foraging birds. They have a huge build with plumage that looks unkempt. The feathers are usually pale brown or black in color. The birds have bald heads, clawed toes, hooked beaks, and sharp vision. The talons on their long, clawed toes are blunt and their legs are rather weak. They generally maintain a hunched stance. The Vulture family consists of 23 species, which include 16 species that are native to Asia, Africa, and Europe and seven species that live in North America and South America. Some prominent Vulture species are Turkey Vultures, Himalayan Vulture, Black Vulture, King Vulture, and Lappet-faced Vulture.

Where are Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vultures mostly live in open plains, grasslands, deserts, and mountains. They can also be found near human dwelling such as agricultural lands and cities. Vultures can be found in all countries of Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, and North America. They do not exist in Australia, Antarctica, and Pacific Islands.

What do Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vultures have sharp vision, which allows them to keenly observe preys on the ground. However, they have weak legs and beak, because of which they prefer scavenging dead animals or surviving on human refuse. When they hunt, they capture rodents, reptiles, lambs, calves, and tortoise.

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

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

Size of Chickadee and Vulture?

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.. Vultures are large birds characterized by wide wings. The largest Vulture is the Cinereous Vulture, which is about 3.3 feet long with a wingspan of nearly nine feet. Necrosyrtes Monachus or the Hooded Vulture is the smallest of the species. It is about 2.3 feet long and has a wingspan of 5.5 feet.

The weight of Chickadees depends on the species. The average weight is 0.29-0.39 ounces. while The weight of Vultures differs based on their species. The Cinereous Vulture weighs 27.5 pounds, whereas the Hooded Vulture weighs 5.7 pounds.

Where do Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vultures make their nests in trees, cliffs, hollow logs, burrows, ledges, caves, or deserted buildings. They either build new nests using sticks and grass or use old ones by lining them with grass. Vulture eggs are greyish blue-green in color with brown or purple spots. The female lays one to two eggs, which are incubated by both partners for 28-40 days. The young ones fledge when they are 10-14 weeks old, but mostly depend on their parents for food till they are eight months old.

How long do Chickadee and Vulture 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 lifespan varies for different species. Smaller birds may live up to 18 years in the wild, while the larger ones survive for nearly 50 years. For instance, Ruppell’s Vulture lives up to 50 years, the Hooded Vulture has a lifespan of about 30 years, and the Cinereous Vulture lives for 35 years. The oldest living of the species is a male Turkey Vulture that resides in California. He was born in 1974.

Are Chickadee or Vulture 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.

Vultures living in northern hemisphere are generally migratory. The species from southern hemisphere are mostly residents. In winters, about a million Vultures travel from Canada and North America to central and South America. Some of them even go up to Ecuador and Venezuela. Vulture species from cold regions of Europe move to Africa, while those from Russia and China travel to the Indian subcontinent.

Do Chickadee and Vulture 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 Vultures in flight is called a kettle, while a group of Vultures in rest is called a committee. Vultures are gregarious birds that live, eat, and roost in colonies. They migrate in large groups that sometimes could have a thousand birds. However, they hunt alone so as to not divert the prey.

Are Chickadee or Vulture 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.

Vultures are protected under Migratory Bird Treaty Act in USA. They are protected under similar laws in other countries like Canada, UK, France, and India. Hunting them in these countries is not permitted.

Are Chickadee or Vulture 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.

The population of Vultures is shrinking due to poisoning by poachers and pesticides, and persecution by farmers. In Africa, Vultures are threatened by hunters who kill them for meat and for body parts that are used in traditional medicine. Presently, eight species in India and seven in Africa face the risk of extinction. Some Vultures listed as endangered include the Indian Vulture, the White-backed Vulture, the Hooded Vulture, the White-rumped Vulture, the Cinereous Vulture, the Himalayan Griffon, the Lappet-faced Vulture, and the Ruppell’s Vulture.

Can Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vultures fly by making use of thermals and wind currents. They fly at high altitudes. Some species can fly as high as 37,000 feet above sea level. They are capable of sustaining even with low oxygen levels at higher altitudes. Vultures are known to fly at speeds of 15-20 miles an hour. They fly 62-93 miles a day in search of food. During migration, some species travel as much as 310 miles in a day. The way the birds use their wings during flight is dintinct for different species. While the Turtle Vulture can fly almost six hours without flapping its wings, species like Black Vulture flap their wings more often.

Can Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vultures are not known to be swimmers. They go to water bodies for bathing and drinking.

Mating patterns among Chickadee and Vulture

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.

Vultures start mating when they are five or six years old. During courtship, the male hops around the female in circles with its wings partly extended. He also chases the female while exhaling noisily. Vultures are slow breeders, they lay one to two eggs each year.

When is the mating season for Chickadee and Vulture ?

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.

The breeding season for Vultures is March-June in the northern hemisphere and February-April in the southern hemisphere. It is however unique for various species. For instance, the Indian Vultures breed during November-March and the Long-billed Vultures mate during October-May.

Do Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Most Vulture species mate for life. They are monogamous and live together throughout the year. They also have strong family bonding.

How do Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vultures roost in large communities on trees, buildings, and towers. They stay close to each other in the night to remain warm and conserve energy.

Can Chickadee and Vulture 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.

Vulture meat is largely consumed in Africa in addition to being used as traditional medicine. However, it is not recommended to eat Vultures as they are scavengers. Many countries do not allow hunting the birds for meat.

Can you hunt Chickadee or Vulture?

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

In Africa, Vultures are hunted for meat and medicine. Worldwide, they are known to be killed by farmers for destroying property and attacking livestock. However, there are laws prohibiting hunting, killing, and trading of Vultures.

Can you feed Chickadee or Vulture?

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 is illegal in places like the USA, Singapore, and Dubai. In captivity, they are given goat meat, rodents, and some plant material.