Black-capped Chickadee

birds · forest · North America · clever

Calls its own name. The chickadee got its name from its loud, repetitive chick-a-dee-dee-dee call that sounds like it's saying its own name over and over again. It also sings a clear fee-bee song that sounds like two notes.

Fancy face markings. This tiny bird has a striking look with a black cap on top of its head, a black bib under its chin, and bright white cheeks. Its belly is white with buff-colored sides, and its wings and back are grey.

Stays put all year. Unlike many birds that fly south when it gets cold, the black-capped chickadee lives in the same forests year-round in North America. This means you might see them at your bird feeder even in the middle of winter.

Forest home. These little birds love deciduous and mixed forests where trees lose their leaves in fall. They are perfectly adapted to life among the branches and bushes.

Super smart birds. Black-capped chickadees are known for being one of the most intelligent bird species, with impressive memory and problem-solving skills. They can remember hundreds of places where they hid seeds and recall them months later.