The Black-capped Chickadee
Chic-chicadeedee! saucy note
Out of sound heart and merry throat,
As if it said, “Good day, good sir!
Fine afternoon, old passenger!
Happy to meet you in these places,
Where winter months brings few faces.”
R.W. Emerson
In this area of Southern Ontario, as in many other areas of the northern two-thirds of the United States and much of Canada, we can always count on the friendly presence of the Black-capped Chickadee. They brave our cold winters with a good-natured cheery attitude and console us for the loss of our summer visitors. Their happy “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call greets us on even the coldest snowiest days. As we move into late winter they can also be heard calling in a more melodic mating call, “fee-bee” or “fee-bee-ee”
One of the ways the chickadee is so adaptable is he is happy to try many different food options that are available, such as insects and grubs in summer, seeds, berries, cone kernels and even some crumbs from a left over sandwich. Anyone who is kind enough to put up a winter feeder will know how much chickadees enjoy sunflower seeds! They make short work of the sunflower heads that ripen in the garden in the fall. They often hide seeds and berries in the bark of trees, called “caching” and remarkably can remember their hidden stores of food when needed.
 
Chickadees are loyal to their mate and their pair bond can last many years. A mated pair will defend their established territory and remain in that area for the rest of their lives. In early spring they will seek out a tree cavity or nesting box and build a nest of mosses, grasses and feathers and lay 6-8 brown-speckled white eggs. The males tend to their mate during this time by defending her and feeding her. After the chicks hatch the female stays with them and the male brings food to them both. The young fledge at about 16 days and the adults continue to feed them for about two to four weeks, although the young can feed themselves during this time. They have one brood per season, but will try for a second should disaster strike. 
During the winter season, chickadees form loose flocks with other chickadees and occasionally with titmice, a related species.
Always a favorite of those who love our feathered buddies, the Black–capped Chickadee is a welcome visitor in our gardens and at our feeders.
Written by Pixc
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