How Chickadees Champion Other Species

We all adore chickadees- right?! They are small and sweet. With an easily recognizable chicka-dee-dee-dee call, they are often all around us. Did you know that chickadees are hugely helpful to other species? These cuties are also an incredible resource for other birds. 

Black-capped chickadee. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

You may have noticed, chickadees are equal parts charming and brave. They are typically the first to visit or check out a new feeder - including a hand! They are known for checking out hikers and you may have experienced them getting quite close on their own regard. 

Black-capped chickadee hand feeding. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

They serve as one of the most reliable species-to-species alarm calls for predators including hawks and owls, even domestic cats. Warblers and some other migrating songbirds will associate themselves closely with chickadees. If you find chickadees, there are likely other birds around! They are often accompanied by nuthatches, creepers and kinglets as well.

The well known "Chicka dee dee dee” call serves as predator alerts or contact calls. The more "dees" that are included, the higher level of threat. The other species that associate with their flocks also respond to these warning calls. In this way, they help protect many migrants that are moving through by alerting them to nearby threats. They are highly social birds and seem adept at reading situations for threat, and interacting not only with their own species, but many others. 

You'll notice that once chickadees start to check out and frequent a feeder, other birds will view it as safe as well. Often, a close second are nuthatches - who often flock with and stay close to chickadees, using their alarm calls to their advantage. 

Chickadee feeding with Red-breasted nuthatch. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

It's not too difficult attract these cuties to your yard (and all of the other birds they bring with them), as they enjoy a wide range of food including sunflower seeds, peanut pieces and Safflower.  They will feed from a variety of feeders including tube and hopper feeders.  Chickadees also enjoy suet, Bark Butter®, and Bark Butter Bits and frequent suet feeders. 

Not all heroes wear capes - some have black caps.

As if we needed another reason to adore chickadees! 



Warmly, 

Heather