The Black-capped Chickadee is a small songbird found throughout much of North America. It is known for its distinctive black cap and throat, white cheeks, and soft chickadee-dee-dee call. But where did this little bird get its unique name?
The Origin of “Chickadee”
The word “chickadee” is an onomatopoeia, meaning it represents the sound the bird makes. The chickadee’s familiar call has been described as chick-a-dee-dee-dee or sometimes fee-bee. Early settlers and naturalists noticed this distinctive vocalization and began referring to the small black-capped birds as “chickadees” in imitation of their call.
The first documented use of the word comes from the naturalist Mark Catesby, who published an account and illustration of the “Chick-a-dee” in his book Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands in 1731. Catesby wrote:
“The cry of this bird sounds like the noise made by a negro with his lips in imitation of a fowl, chick-a-dee-dee.”
By the late 18th century, “chickadee” had become the widely accepted common name for these birds in North America.
Adding “Black-capped”
While chickadees may have originally been named for their vocalizations, “Black-capped” refers to their distinctive physical appearance. Chickadees in the genus Poecile are known for having black caps and throats that contrast sharply with their white cheeks.
Of the seven species found in North America, the Black-capped Chickadee has the largest and most extensive black cap and bib. Early ornithologists began referring to it as the “Black-cap Titmouse” and “Black-capped Titmouse” to distinguish it from other chickadees.
By the early 19th century, “Black-capped Chickadee” had emerged as the accepted common name used by naturalists like Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon.
Official Recognition
In 1827, the Black-capped Chickadee was formally classified and given its scientific name Parus atricapillus by ornithologist George Ord. The genus name was later changed to Poecile, giving it the current scientific name of Poecile atricapillus.
In his book North American Birds, Audubon described the Black-capped Chickadee as:
“This lively, curious, and well-known little bird.”
He goes on to provide one of the first official descriptions of its distinctive appearance:
“Bill black; general colour of the plumage greyish-blue; the head above, cheeks, and throat, black; belly dirty white; tail and wings with white marks.”
By the early 20th century, Black-capped Chickadee was in widespread use as the accepted common name used by ornithologists and birdwatchers alike.
Unique Adaptations
So how exactly did the Black-capped Chickadee end up with its distinctive black cap and throat? These markings likely evolved to serve multiple important functions for chickadees.
Camouflage
The black cap and bib helps camouflage chickadees against the shadows and cavities of trees where they forage. The sharp contrast between black and white breaks up the chickadee’s outline, making it harder for predators to spot.
Thermoregulation
The cap and bib may also help chickadees regulate body heat. The exposed bare skin on the head is well supplied with blood vessels that can constrict or dilate to release or conserve heat.
Signaling
The bold black and white pattern also aids chickadees in communicating and signalling with one another. The contrast makes their head movements and poses more striking and visible.
Research has found that chickadees expand their cap when singing and interacting aggressively. Juveniles have smaller, less distinct caps until their first molt.
Unique Song
The onomatopoeic chick-a-dee-dee-dee song of the Black-capped Chickadee is instantly recognizable. But researchers have discovered the deceptively simple vocalization is highly complex.
Chickadees have a repertoire of call types used in different social contexts. Their songs and call notes follow syntax patterns. The dee notes carry information about flock movement and cohesion.
Studies show chickadees can modify their song meaning when addressing different flock members. Their calls even encode information about the size and risk level of potential predators.
Intelligence and Memory
With their large brains relative to body size, chickadees exhibit some remarkable feats of intelligence.
- They have excellent spatial memory and are very good at recalling the locations of cached food.
- They can solve complex puzzles to obtain food rewards.
- They are innovative and quick to exploit new food sources.
- They are one of the few animals found to exhibit episodic-like memory, allowing them to remember specific events.
Their impressive cognitive abilities likely aid chickadees in keeping track of their cached food and surviving cold winters.
Range and Habitat
Black-capped Chickadees are found across northern North America. Their range extends:
- From Newfoundland to British Columbia in Canada
- Throughout Alaska
- South throughout the northern U.S., down into the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains
They thrive in coniferous and mixed forests, particularly favoring habitats with a dense understory. They readily visit bird feeders, especially in winter.
Season | Location |
---|---|
Breeding | Coniferous and mixed forests across Canada, Alaska, and northern U.S. |
Winter | Ranges farther south in U.S. and at lower elevations |
Migration | Short-distance altitudinal migrations |
Diet
Black-capped Chickadees are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers. Their diet includes:
- Insects and other arthropods
- Seeds and berries
- Nuts
- Fruit
They use their strong beak to hammer into seeds and nuts. Chickadees are famous for caching or storing food to eat later. Each bird can cache thousands of items a year in hundreds of locations.
Common Foods
Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
---|---|---|---|
Caterpillars Spiders Aphids Wasps |
Beetles Caterpillars Ants Wasps Berries |
Aphids Caterpillars Beetles Seeds Berries |
Seeds Nuts Berries Suet |
Breeding and Nesting
Black-capped Chickadees form monogamous breeding pairs. Courtship begins in late winter, including vocal duets and display flights by the male.
Nest building occurs from early spring through mid summer. The female chooses a site and does most of the building while the male guards.
Common nest sites include:
- Tree cavities
- Stumps
- Bird houses
The nest is a moss-lined cup constructed from a variety of materials including grasses, bark, spider silk, and fur. The average clutch size is 6-8 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation is 12-13 days and young fledge in 16-18 days. Chickadees only raise one brood per year but may re-nest if the first attempt fails.
Nest Facts
Placement | Materials | Eggs | Incubation | Fledging |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cavities 3-13 ft high |
Moss, fur, grass | 6-8 white with spots | 12-13 days | 16-18 days |
Relationship to Humans
Black-capped Chickadees are beloved backyard birds due to their musical songs, energetic personalities, intelligence, and fearless use of bird feeders.
Some interesting connections between chickadees and humans include:
- Research subjects – Studied extensively for cognition, memory, vocalizations, and behavior
- State birds – Official state bird of Maine and Massachusetts
- Native folklore – Featured in legends and mythology of Native American tribes
- Popular media – Appear in cartoons, movies, TV shows, children’s books, and more
Chickadees readily come to bird feeders for black oil sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts. They can become very tame and may even eat from people’s hands.
Threats and Conservation
With an extensive range and increasing population, the Black-capped Chickadee is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. But they do face some threats including:
- Habitat loss from deforestation
- Increasing urbanization
- Pesticides reducing insect prey
- Climate change disrupting range
Backyard habitat gardening, limiting pesticide use, and participating in nest box projects are some ways to support chickadee conservation.
Conclusion
From its unique black cap and cheerful song to its impressive intelligence, the Black-capped Chickadee is one of the most distinctive and delightful backyard birds found across North America. Next time you hear its familiar chick-a-dee-dee call, you’ll know how this little songbird got its descriptive and onomatopoeic name.