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Hi Annabelle,
As Kathleen has indicated, individual variation, though subtle, does exist among Black-capped Chickadees as with any species. However, unless it is a difference caused by an accident (e.g. the bird is missing a toe) or one caused by genetics (e.g. Some/many/all feathers lacking pigment) you need to keep in mind that those differences are transient and will change or disappear as the bird moults its feathers or the feathers wear or break. In chickadees the moult takes place mostly in the month of September and should be completely finished by now so any subtle differences you see should be good for quite a while.
Kathleen is correct. As with any type of bird marking, be it banding, wing tags, neck collars, color-marking of any kind, etc., a valid scientific research permit must be obtained from the Canadian Wildlife Service in order to carry it out.
All the best,
Lance
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 7:36 AM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: EXTERNAL: Re: [NatureNS] a question
My experience of chickadees is that while they are very bold and are willing to come quite close to humans for food, I wouldn't describe them as friendly. I don't think they generally form a relationship with humans beyond "feed me!" I think they are found near humans so often (e.g., in backyards) because they are so willing to take advantage of the food we provide. And I think a chickadee coming close to a human or other large animal is pretty safe and not stupid, considering that they are so small and fast and hard to catch. I don't think anything bigger than a sharp-shinned hawk is regularly able to catch chickadees.
As for identifying individuals, I've noticed that chickadees often have different markings on their bib patch. There have been several chickadees I've seen over the years that were distinct enough to identify reliably. For example, one had a really straight lower border and two white-speckled patches in the bib. If you can't identify them based on their appearance, I think you're out of luck.
Bird-marking dyes do exist, but (correct me if I'm wrong, list) I don't think it's legal for anyone to mark wild birds in any way without a research permit.
Kathleen MacAulay
Milford Station
________________________________
From: Annabelle Thiebaux <hamst@xplornet.com>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Fri, November 5, 2010 7:39:49 AM
Subject: [NatureNS] a question
Since the mammal questions I have sent remain unanswered I want to ask a bird question about Chickadees. Actually more than one question. Are they really people friendly or are they stupid or can they just not see, or is there another reason for their being around so much? Is there a way of telling them individually apart? The only individual I can tell is the banded one when I see the band, perhaps there is a dye which is safe for the others?
--Boundary_(ID_f/M2mGBA7nuHEtEFNj4rIw)
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hi Annabelle,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>As Kathleen has indicated, individual variation, though subtle,
does exist among Black-capped Chickadees as with any species. However, unless
it is a difference caused by an accident (e.g. the bird is missing a toe) or
one caused by genetics (e.g. Some/many/all feathers lacking pigment) you need
to keep in mind that those differences are transient and will change or
disappear as the bird moults its feathers or the feathers wear or break. In
chickadees the moult takes place mostly in the month of September and should be
completely finished by now so any subtle differences you see should be
good for quite a while. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Kathleen is correct. As with any type of bird marking, be it
banding, wing tags, neck collars, color-marking of any kind, etc., a valid
scientific