This morning 2 Black-capped Chickadees each sang their "fee-bee" (a clear, whistled, 2-part sound) song from some distance apart. Many people mistake this sound for the song of the Eastern Phoebe. It is not. Eastern Phoebes make a squeaky, raspy 2-part song that sounds nothing like that of the Black-capped Chickadee. Phoebes have not yet returned from migration to here in NH.Male chickadees sing at this time of year to attract a mate and define their territory. Chickadees are in a flock of about 6-10 or more birds in the winter that has a fixed winter territory. In spring, the flock breaks up and only the most dominant pair in the flock gets to breed in the winter territory area. The other chickadees have to go elsewhere and find their own territory. So chickadee wars will continue into spring.
Chickadees nest in tree cavities and also bird houses. We have many bird houses up on our property, maybe a chickadee will choose one, we hope.
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