5 Reasons Why I Love Chickadees...And You Should Too!

Chickadees are some of the most common and recognizable backyard birds in North America. Not only are they easy to find, but they're also easy to love, and here are five reasons why I absolutely love chickadees. Number one, their vocal. Chickadees are definitely recognizable when it comes to what they look like, but they also make some of the most familiar vocalizations too. Chickadees are chatty little birds, and make many different noises. However, the one they're most well-known for is the classic namesake chickadee song that you can hear around forests and even backyards. Another familiar vocalization is their cheeseburger song, that in my experience they tend to use on warmer days in winter, and as spring draws near. For that reason, I call it the chickadee springtime song, and I'm not sure if it actually means the spring is coming or if it has another name that describes it, but that's just what I call it. These cheerful little sounds that the chickadees make are extremely endearing, and also nostalgic, as I can remember hearing the same sound when I was a kid. Number two, they're friendly. From personal experience, I can tell you that different bird species have different levels of curiosity when it comes to humans. Some birds won't let you get anywhere near them, while others are more tolerant of a human presence. This can of course be variable based on the individual of the species, but overall, chickadees are definitely more on the inquisitive side, and even like to come and investigate people. This is especially true when that person is the one that usually fills the bird feeder. They can even get comfortable enough around people to be fed by hand. Now I'm not saying that you should try to get chickadees comfortable enough with you to take food from you. It can be bad for them to get used to interacting with people, but it's something that can be done, which makes these little guys that much more lovable. Number three, they're peaceful. If you've ever tried to band a chickadee, then you would know that they can be a little vicious, especially since they tend to go right for the cuticle. But while they can have a bit of a fierce side, chickadees are by and large peaceful when it comes to other birds. They're a great bird to have around backyard bird feeders, because they usually don't bully other species or hog the bird feeder, preferring to just come in and grab one seed and then fly off with it. Additionally, they tend to travel in mixed flocks with other small birds like titmice and even warblers, and that proves it to the haters out there. Chickadees are peaceful. Number four, they're always around. You know that one friend who's always there for you? In the bird world, that friend is the chickadee. I mean this in multiple ways. First, most chickadees don't do much in terms of migratory movements and tend to stay in the same area year round. That means you can hang out with your backyard chickadees during any and all major holidays. Another way that chickadees are always there for you is the fact that some species of chickadees live in just about every corner of the United States. From the black-capped chickadee of the Northeast to the chestnut-backed chickadee of the Pacific Northwest, it's likely that some variety of this familiar bird will be there. Number five, they're small, but hardy. Many small bird species migrate south during the winter, but chickadees reside in cold climates year round. One would think that such a small bird would struggle to survive. Chickadees however, have some remarkable adaptations to deal with the cold. First, they molt into a thicker coat of feathers and actually form a layer of fat for the winter. Additionally, since chickadees need to eat continuously in winter, they hide thousands of food items. And remarkably, their brain even changes sizes to allow them to better remember where they put those food items. There are even more adaptations that they have, such as a naturally high body temperature that they can alter by going into a state called torpor that puts them into what's essentially a hibernation during particularly cold days and nights. Overall, the way these small birds handle tough temperatures is absolutely astounding. Chickadees are among the birds that people see first when they put up a bird feeder around their home, and even though they're common, they're extremely lovable. If you agree with me, put your thoughts in the comments below, and if you liked this video, take a look at another one of our videos about birds and birding. And as always, thanks for watching, we'll see you next time, on Badgerland Birding.