Maine State Bird

Maine designated the Black-capped Chickadee in 1927 because of its everyday presence in Maine woods and winter feeders and its calm, hardy fit with the state's northern character. It was a practical symbolic choice: familiar to residents, visible across much of the state, and easy to connect with local schools, gardens, farms, parks, or conservation culture.

A black cap and bib, crisp white cheeks, and soft gray upperparts make the chickadee one of the easiest small woodland birds to recognize. In Maine, it looks especially at home across spruce forest, mixed woodland, and feeder-friendly small towns.

It travels in small mixed flocks, caches seeds, investigates bark and buds for insects, and nests in natural cavities or softened wood. It uses mixed woods, backyard feeders, suburban trees, and forest edges well, which helps explain why the bird feels familiar well beyond protected areas.

In Maine, start with Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and Scarborough Marsh. Follow the busy flock chatter and watch for quick upside-down movements on twigs and bark. Winter and early spring are especially good because chickadees stay vocal, visible, and dependable at feeders. These kinds of places match the bird's preferred mix of mixed woods, backyard feeders, suburban trees, and forest edges.

The Black-capped Chickadee is currently listed as LC. Black-capped Chickadees are still common, though warmer winters, changing forest composition, and disease risks at crowded feeders can affect local flocks.