My Favorite Bird

My apologies to my non-North American friends. I wrongly assumed that Chickadees, like sparrows, were common to all northern climes. After doing some research, I found that northern North America is the only place that the black-capped chickadee is found. I now feel quite privileged, and honored that they inhabit MY back yard.

Chickadees have always been my favorite bird. They're usually very sweet, and quite tame. We have several, who will land on us while we're filling the feeder. They'll also eat out of our hands, if the feeder is empty. They can also be quite feisty, and defensive when challenged. Maybe that's why I like chickadees so much; their personality is similar to mine.

From our years of observing chickadees, we've found that each one has it's own special seed-opening perch. Chickadee's beaks are quite small, so they find a spot where they can wedge their sunflower seeds to open them. Each chickadee has his own spot and they're quite territorial about their spots. They get miffed with us, when we eliminate their special spots by trimming the tree next to the feeder. I'm certain that the bottom picture is of that chickadee's seed opening spot.

Chickadees are rather hyper, which makes them difficult to photograph. We have hundreds of chickadee action shots. In other words, blurry feather shots. We do have several decent pictures of chickadees eating out of our hands. I'm just too lazy to find them right now.

Cornell University has found that: "The chickadee's simple-sounding calls have been found to be extremely complex and language-like. They code information on identity and recognition of other flocks as well as predator alarms and contact calls. "

I'm so glad that this study was done. Now I know I'm not crazy when I talk to the chickadees and they talk back to me. Chickadees insist on looking you in the eye while talking to you, even if they have to cling to your hair and hang upside down over your forehead. Chickadees have virtually no weight. They feel like a vibrating ball of energy when they sit in your hand.

Cornell also says:
"Its apparently cheerful activity throughout the harshest winters has won it the admiration of many people. "
I guess that about sums it up; a cheery face to brighten our winters.