How to Hand Feed a Chickadee

Chickadees are unique North American birds found throughout Canada and the United States. They are greenish-grey on top with a white underside, light brown flanks, and a long, dark-grey tail. While hand-feeding these cute creatures is a fun experience, it also takes a bit of effort. Luckily, with a bit of patience and know-how, you'll be bonding with your local chickadees in no time at all!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Feeding Location and Schedule

1
Feed your chickadees between October and April. The colder the weather, the more receptive chickadees will be to your food. Why? During these periods it's not only harder to find food, but they also need more to fuel their bodies. Although October through April is typically the best time, it really depends on your area.^{[1]XResearch source}
- In general, a cold but sunny morning is best, especially following an ice storm, which seals away lots of their natural food.
- Be sure to dress warmly for the weather and be prepared to be patient. Warm socks and winter boots are a must!
- Take a look at the weekly weather and choose the coldest day to plan your trip. If possible, find a day that is sunnier as opposed to cloudy.
2
Select a feeding area with dense, tall foliage. This will give the birds something to perch on. Evergreen trees are ideal as their thick foliage protects birds from winter winds and also provides hiding places from predators at any time of year.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceThe Cornell Lab of OrnithologyResearch lab of Cornell University dedicated to interpreting and conserving the Earth's biological diversity through research and education about birdsGo to source}
- Choose a feeder location that is 10 feet (3.0 m) from cover, as their branches provide hiding places for cats and jumping-off points for squirrels.
- Plants with fruits and flowers are also ideal as they're very appealing to birds.
- If you have pets, don't let them into the yard or area at feeding time.
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3
Create a feeding schedule that matches the chickadees' natural feeding times. Before you start filling your feeder, watch the birds for a few days and take note of when they like to eat naturally. Afterward, start putting food in your feeders at this time every day and stick to the schedule as often as possible.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Use binoculars to watch your birds if you'd like.
- Take note of any seasonal changes in your chickadee population, as they eat different foods in various places depending on the time of year.
4
Install a feeder filled with sunflower seeds. Either purchase a feeder from a pet store or make one yourself using a tin can, pumpkin, pine cone, milk carton, milk jug, or plastic tube. Regardless, of which you decide to use, fill it with sunflower seeds, which is the food of choice for chickadees.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceThe Cornell Lab of OrnithologyResearch lab of Cornell University dedicated to interpreting and conserving the Earth's biological diversity through research and education about birdsGo to source}^{[5]XExpert SourceJeff Jones
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 13 May 2021.}
- Hang your feeder 6 feet (1.8 m) from the tree's trunk or limbs and add a squirrel baffle overtop to stop squirrels from climbing down the hanging wire.
- If you want to hang your feeder from a pole, make sure it's 5 feet (1.5 m) off the ground and 10 feet (3.0 m) from the nearest tree, shrub, or other tall structure.
- Always stock the feeder daily to make sure birds come as often as possible.
- Chickadees also like suet, peanuts, peanut butter, and mealworms.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Familiar with Your Chickadees

1
Stand 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 4.6 m) from the feeder after filling it. After filling the feeder, stand closeby—close enough to watch the chickadees, but far enough that you won't scare them away. If you find that the chickadees aren't feeding, walk a bit farther from the feeder until they do.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Avoid making sudden movements.
- After the chickadees are done feeding, measure the amount of space you're standing from the feeder.
2
Stand 1 ft (0.30 m) closer to the feeder each day after you fill it. Use your measurement from the first feeding and step 1 foot (0.30 m) closer on the day of the second feeding. Continue this process each day until the birds are comfortable with you standing next to the feeder as they eat.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If you find that the birds aren't feeding after you increase your distance, walk back in 1 foot (0.30 m) intervals until they're comfortable again.
3
Speak gently and softly to the birds as they feed. Once your birds are comfortable with you standing next to the feeder, speak to them gently and softly as they eat. This will get them used to your voice in addition to your presence and create a stronger bond.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Call out "Chick-a-dee dee dee" if you're not sure what to say!
4
Add treats to your bird feed to incentivize them. Sprinkle some into their standard feed to give them something to associate your visit with. Pecans or chopped walnuts work particularly well. ^{[9]XResearch source}
- Take note of the chickadees' favorite treats and stick to using them.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Feeding Your Chickadees by Hand

1
Empty the feeder. This ensures that the birds have no options for food to distract them from you. Afterward, double-check that there are no scraps on the ground nearby.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Place any emptied food in a small container to use later when you need to refill the feeder.
Pour some sunflower seeds (or whatever you have been filling your feeder with) into a small bowl or coffee mug. Now, stand by the feeder and hold it close-by. Wait and be patient—eventually, a bird will likely hop onto the container and start eating.^{[11]XResearch source}
3
Feed the birds from your hand once they're comfortable with you. Once your birds are used to eating from a mug, start holding their food in your hand. Stand by the feeder and extend your hand right above it, taking care to hold it flat and steady. Watch for approaching birds and if they stare at the food without approaching, stay calm and be patient.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Don't be surprised if a few birds flutter above the food a couple times—remain still if this happens, as they're testing your reaction.
- At first, birds might grab some food and leave—don't worry! Let them get comfortable with you and they will eventually sit on your hand as they eat.
- You can wear gloves if you'd like so long as you always wear the same color to avoid startling them.
- Never try to grab a wild bird.
- Avoid using fragranced perfumes or beauty products that can repel or sicken birds.
4
Don't swallow when feeding your birds. It might sound silly, but swallowing near wild birds can give them the impression you want to eat them. Try to swallow when you don't have a bird feeding from your hand or—if you do—when it's not looking.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Avoid smiling too widely or opening your mouth for the same reason as above.
Keeping the feeder stocked on days you aren't hand-feeding the birds is important to ensure the birds keep coming back to the same area for food. If possible, use the feed you kept when emptying the feeder.^{[14]XResearch source}
6
Visit your birds often. Although it's fine to take breaks of a few days or even up to 1 to 2 weeks, the more often you visit your birds, the more relaxed and comfortable they will be around you. And the more comfortable they are, the more they likely they are to hand-feed.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Don't follow your birds around or they might think you want to eat them!
- Let your birds come and go as they please and be patient!
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Expert Q&A

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How can I get closer to the chickadees?
Jeff Jones
Bird Specialist
Jeff Jones is a Bird Specialist based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the writer of BirdOculars, a website dedicated to helping people become better birders. He has over 18 years of experience and specializes in feeding birds and wildlife. Jeff experiments to find ways to encourage birds he wants to study and his website help others to do the same.
Jeff Jones
Bird Specialist
Expert Answer
Start by taking down all of your other feeders except for one. Then, stand a little apart from this feeder while the birds eat. Each day, move a little closer to the feeder.
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Question
Can you use fruit, like berries, to feed them? What about peanut butter?
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Community Answer
Yes, many birds enjoy berries like blueberries. Peanut butter makes a good once-in-a-while treat but because it has lots of salt and oil, keep it to a minimum.
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Tips

Consider alternating hands if one starts tiring.
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It's best to feed these small, energetic birds in the fall or wintertime when it gets harder for them to find food.
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Be prepared for other birds, such as small woodpeckers, to come and feed from your hand.
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