Bird Description

The common and familiar n. chickadee, in gardens, parks, forest, and just about anywhere there are trees. Although primarily resident, occasionally wanders s. in winter, particularly when food shortages occur. A hardy and spunky bird, like CACH, it hangs upside down and flits from tree to tree, usually in small flocks, sometimes with other species. Friendly, at times tame but easily agitated, particularly by owls, and is a common feeder bird. Song: a fee bee ey. Named after its call, a familiar chickadee-dee-dee, averages coarser and slower than CACH, but there is overlap. ID: Like CACH but larger and chunkier with a big head and longer tail. Dark bib, black cap, and buffy flanks. Marked ssp variation but always strikingly frosty due to dark wing and tail feathers with broad white fringes. If in doubt always look for dark-centered greater coverts. By late summer, adults are very worn and can look scruffy. Tail often flared at tip. Range barely overlaps with CACH. Hybrids are reported where it does.