Kristel Guimara Hello everyone and welcome! My name is Kristel Guimara and I currently live in the beautiful northern Adirondacks. I have my Bachelor's degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science from Paul Smith's College located in Paul Smith's NY. Currently, I am in my second year of graduate school pursuing my Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from Green Mountain College in Poultney VT. I am currently researching the effects of black carbon concentration in the Adirondack snowpack which will be compared to samples taken in the Arctic Regions. This I hope will continue beyond my thesis requirement.
The Black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus) is a common bird in the Adirondacks. It flew to my feeder, with such a bounce and acrobatic flight that it instantly drew my attention. This small bird is rather spherical in shape and has a prominent black cap and throat patch, white cheeks, greenish gray back and beige flanks.
The Black-capped chickadee has a simple 2 or 3-note whistled fee-bee song or the common bird call of Chick-a-dee-dee- dee that you would hear in the region.
This little, bouncy bird has intrigued me dearly. Therefore, I began the process of researching interesting facts that I wanted to share.
Interesting fact #1: The Black-capped chickadee hides each seed and other food items in a secret spot. The chickadee remembers the numerous hiding places each item is placed which is quite beneficial during feeding time.
Interesting fact #2: Identity and recognition of each flock begins with a complex and language-like communication. Interestingly, as the level of threat increases due to predator alarms or contact calls the more dee notes can be heard in their Chick-a-dee-dee-dee call.
Interesting fact #3: Lastly, the oldest known wild chickadee is said to have lived to be 12 years and 5 months old!
One native American legend says that chickadee (Tsis-ki-li-li)is the wisest of all birds as he/she spends much of their time perched above the forest floor watching and listening.