The short answer is no, chickadees do not say “phoebe.” While chickadees and phoebes are both small songbirds, they make distinctly different vocalizations.
An Overview of Chickadees and Phoebes
Chickadees and phoebes belong to different bird families that have evolved to fill different ecological niches. This is reflected in differences in their appearance, behavior, habitat preferences, and vocalizations.
Chickadees
Chickadees are small perching birds in the family Paridae, which includes titmice and tits. There are seven species of chickadees in North America, including the familiar Black-capped Chickadee. Chickadees have short conical bills, large heads, and short wings and tails. Their plumage is generally gray and white, with some black. Chickadees are active acrobatic foragers found mainly in deciduous and mixed forests.
Phoebes
Phoebes belong to the family Tyrannidae, which consists of the tyrant flycatchers of the Americas. They are medium-sized passerines with large heads and large bills compared to chickadees. There are two species of phoebes that breed in North America: the Eastern Phoebe and Say’s Phoebe. Phoebes are dull gray-brown above and pale below, with some faint wing bars. They inhabit open and semi-open areas and often forage by flying out from a perch to catch insects.
Differences in Vocalizations
Chickadees and phoebes have very different repertoires of vocalizations that reflect their evolutionary histories. While phoebes are named for their characteristic “fee-bee” song, chickadees make a range of high-pitched, multi-noted whistles and chick-a-dee calls.
Chickadee Vocalizations
Chickadees have a complex system of vocal communication. Their most well-known call is their namesake “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. The number of “dee” notes varies based on the perceived threat level. Chickadees also have an alarm call, a high-pitched “seet” note. Their call note is a whistled “hey-sweetie” and they have multiple songs used for territorial defense and courtship.
Phoebe Songs and Calls
The Eastern Phoebe’s most characteristic vocalization is a brisk “fee-bee” song. They get their name from this sneeze-like call. Eastern Phoebes also make softer chips and peeps. Say’s Phoebes have a more truncated “pit-pit” or “pit-pheeb” song. Their calls include nasal “peeur” and “peit” notes. The phoebes’ vocal repertoire is much less extensive than that of chickadees.
Reasons for Vocal Differences
The vocal differences between chickadees and phoebes reflect adaptations to their lifestyles and environments.
Chickadee Vocal Adaptations
- Small size requires high-pitched calls that carry farther
- Complex social structure requires advanced communication
- Flocking behavior facilitated by contact calls
- Forest habitat selects for songs/calls with greater reverberation
- Require alarm calls to warn of threats
Phoebe Vocal Adaptations
- Solitary territorial birds do not require elaborate song
- Simple and repetitive vocalizations are effective in open areas
- Aerial insectivores use contrasting song patterns
- Short, crisp calls allow communication from perches
In short, chickadees evolved with pressure to develop advanced communication systems to survive in forest social groups, while phoebes did not face the same pressures in open habitats with solitary lifestyles.
Identifying Chickadees and Phoebes by Sound
The differences between chickadee and phoebe vocalizations make it straightforward to identify these birds by ear.
Chickadee Identification Tips
- Listen for “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” calls with varying numbers of “dee” notes
- Also listen for whistled “hey-sweetie” calls
- Chickadees sound high-pitched and fast, often repeating call notes
- Call rhythm is choppy, without slurring together of notes
Phoebe Identification Tips
- Eastern Phoebes make “fee-bee” songs and short, crisp chips
- Say’s Phoebes’ songs are truncated “pit-pit” or “pit-pheeb”
- Phoebe calls tend to be buzzy, hoarse, and nasal
- Songs have an uneven rhythm with emphasis on first note
With practice an experienced birder can recognize the characteristic sounds of chickadees and phoebes. However, sightings are still required for confirmation of identification.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while chickadees and phoebes may occasionally share habitats, a chickadee does not say “phoebe.” Chickadees have extensive repertoires of whistles, chick-a-dee calls, and other vocalizations. Phoebes make simple, repetitive fee-bee songs and short buzzy calls. The differences arise from the unique evolutionary pressures faced by these species in their distinct ecological niches. So the next time you hear a high-pitched chick-a-dee-dee-dee or a crisp fee-bee song, you can confidently determine if it is coming from a hard-working little chickadee or a flying phoebe.
