Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Mexican Chickadee -- Parus sclateri

RANGE: Resident in Mexico, the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, and the Animas Mountains of southwestern New Mexico.

STATUS: Locally common.

HABITAT: Occurs in almost any habitat with conifers up to 7,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, even where trees are sparse, but prefers pine-oak woodlands and montane pine and spruce-fir forests, primarily in mesic habitats. Outside the breeding season, may also be found in groves of Arizona cypress at lower elevations.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Dead trees for cavity nest.

NEST: Excavates its own cavity in a dead stub, tree trunk, or branch.

FOOD: Probably eats insects and seeds similar to other chickadees. (No specific information is available on food habits).

REFERENCES: Bent 1946, Harrison 1979, Phillips et al. 1964, Terres 1980.

Previous Section -- Family Paridae
Return to Family List
Return to Contents