Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
This is the black-capped chickadee. While there are a few other varieties of chickadee that live in this area, the black-capped chickadee is the only one I have seen.
These little birds can be seen here year round. If you put out sunflower seeds, they will certainly come. It is obvious when a chickadee has been at your feeder if you put mixed seed in it; most of the seeds will end up on the ground, as the chickadees will dig through the seed for the sunflower seeds and discard any others. Juncos will often later eat the seeds that are on the ground.
Voice Chickadees are very vocal and have a very wide range of calls and songs. There is the obvious and familiar "chickadee-dee-dee." Common variations include a little "chick, chick!" or "cheek!", also "chick-chickadee." In the spring, the males can also be heard saying, "Fee-bee!" I have noticed that sometimes their voices sound more nasal, other times more clear. Another familiar song is one that sounds to me like they are singing a slow, relaxed, "Sweeeter, sweeter." (The second word lower than the first.)
These little birds can be seen here year round. If you put out sunflower seeds, they will certainly come. It is obvious when a chickadee has been at your feeder if you put mixed seed in it; most of the seeds will end up on the ground, as the chickadees will dig through the seed for the sunflower seeds and discard any others. Juncos will often later eat the seeds that are on the ground.
Voice Chickadees are very vocal and have a very wide range of calls and songs. There is the obvious and familiar "chickadee-dee-dee." Common variations include a little "chick, chick!" or "cheek!", also "chick-chickadee." In the spring, the males can also be heard saying, "Fee-bee!" I have noticed that sometimes their voices sound more nasal, other times more clear. Another familiar song is one that sounds to me like they are singing a slow, relaxed, "Sweeeter, sweeter." (The second word lower than the first.)
Other Behavior It is not uncommon to see chickadees either by themselves or in groups. They are not generally shy, so especially during winter, they are found near homes a lot. I have often seen chickadees tapping on small branches like a woodpecker would.
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