Chickadees are small songbirds that are known for their distinct vocalizations. There are several different species of chickadees found across North America, and each one makes slightly different sounds.
Chick-a-dee-dee Call
The most well-known vocalization of chickadees is their namesake “chick-a-dee-dee” call. This is a complex call that has different meanings depending on how it is used. In general, the chick-a-dee-dee call is used to communicate with other black-capped chickadees in the flock. The number of “dee” notes at the end indicates the threat level, with more “dees” meaning a higher threat level. This call can signal alarm, but chickadees also use it to keep the flock together and communicate their location.
What the Chick-a-dee-dee Call Sounds Like
The chick-a-dee-dee call begins with a loud, high-pitched “chick-a” note, which transitions into a series of lower-pitched and faster “dee” notes. To human ears, it sounds like the bird is saying “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” very quickly. The pattern and number of “dee” notes varies in different situations. In mild alarm situations, a chickadee may make the call with just two or three “dees”. When facing a major threat, the call can contain a dozen or more “dees” strung together in rapid succession.
Reasons Chickadees Use the Chick-a-dee-dee Call
- Signaling mild alarm at a potential threat
- Indicating major alarm at a dangerous predator or other threat
- Staying in contact with the flock
- Revealing their location to other flock members
- Recruiting other chickadees to mob predators
- Claiming territory
- Coordinating movements and flock activities
By varying the pattern and intensity of the chick-a-dee-dee, chickadees can communicate quite complex information to each other across long distances. Research has shown that other species like titmice and nuthatches can also understand chickadee alarm calls and take appropriate action when they hear them.
High-pitched Tseet Call
In addition to the chick-a-dee-dee call, chickadees have a very high-pitched “tseet” vocalization they use frequently. This call sounds like a short “tsit” or “tseet” noise. Chickadees make this call for the following reasons:
- Staying in contact with flock mates
- Signaling mild alarm
- Begging for food
- Indicating subordinate status in the flock’s social hierarchy
The tseet call is often repeated in a series when chickadees are interacting. It occurs most frequently when chickadees are actively foraging in a flock. The constant tseet calls allow the flock to keep track of each other’s location as they move through the forest looking for food.
Differences Based on Species
There are subtle differences in the tseet vocalizations between chickadee species:
Species | Tseet Call Sounds Like |
---|---|
Black-capped chickadee | High, thin “tseet” |
Carolina chickadee | Lower-pitched “tsit” |
Mountain chickadee | Raspy, hoarse “tseet” |
Whistled Song
The chickadees’ whistled song, sometimes called their “fee-bee” song, is used to declare ownership of a territory and attract a mate. The song is whistled, with each species having a unique tune. It sounds high-pitched and wavering to human ears. The song is repeated over and over in the early spring when chickadees are establishing breeding territories and seeking mates. Here are details on the songs of three common chickadee species:
Black-capped chickadee song
- Sounds like “fee-beeee”
- First “fee” note is high, loud, and whistled
- Second “beeee” note trails downward in pitch
- Song repeated 7-10 times in a row
Carolina chickadee song
- Sounds like “fee-bee-bay”
- First two whistled notes are high-pitched like the black-capped
- Third “bay” note drops lower in pitch
- Only repeated 3-5 times before switching to a different song phrase
Mountain chickadee song
- Sounds like a fast, whistled “fee-bee-bee-bee”
- Very high-pitched and fast whistles
- Song repeated up to a dozen times in a row
By paying attention to the unique songs of chickadees in their territory, birders can identify species based on vocalizations alone.
Soft Warbled Notes
Chickadees also have a wide repertoire of simple, gentle warbled vocalizations they use to communicate within the flock. These notes sound sweet and musical to our ears. They have subtle variations in tone, pitch, and rhythm that convey meaning to other chickadees. Some common warbled chickadee calls include:
- Gargle call – raspy, rolling notes often given by a male offering food to a female during courtship
- Whining call – high, wavering notes indicating begging behavior
- Nest call – soft, musical warbles used by mates at the nest cavity
- Contact call – pleasant chirps and warbles used when feeding fledglings and staying in touch around the nest
These gentle vocalizations play an important role in communicating within mated pairs and families. The nuances help coordinate critical behaviors like feeding chicks, defending nest sites, and sharing food between mates.
Screeches and Mobbing Calls
When extremely alarmed, chickadees can make harsh, loud screeches and mobbing calls. They use these calls when confronting a dangerous predator like a hawk, owl or cat. The calls sound screechy and unpleasant to human ears. Some specific mobbing calls include:
- Jar call – Loud, rattling screech like someone shaking a jar of coins
- Scold call – Harsh, raspy notes strung together when mobbing a predator
- Caterwaul call – Loud, wavering screeches used in aggressive encounters
The purpose of mobbing calls is to alert all the chickadees, titmice, and other birds in the area to the presence of a serious threat. It helps rally multiple species together to harass, chase, and distract predators. The more birds mobbing a predator, the more effectively they can drive it away and defend their nesting territories.
Differences Between Species
While all chickadees share some common vocalizations, each species has distinctive features and sounds:
Black-capped chickadee
- Most well-known and studied chickadee species
- Namesake chick-a-dee-dee call used often
- Whistled fee-bee song repeated extensively
- Wide variety of warbles, whistles and calls
Carolina chickadee
- Song and calls faster-paced and higher frequency than black-capped chickadee
- Whistled song with fee-bee-bay ending
- tsit contact call lower-pitched than black-capped
Mountain chickadee
- Song is very high-pitched, fast fee-bee-bee-bee
- Call note pitch is higher than black-capped
- Whistled song carried far distances across their mountain habitats
Species | Distinctive Vocal Features |
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Black-capped chickadee |
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Carolina chickadee |
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Mountain chickadee |
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Conclusion
Chickadees have an impressive repertoire of vocalizations they use to communicate important information within their flocks. By paying close attention to the nuances of their calls, birders can identify different chickadee species by sound alone. Their familiar chick-a-dee-dee call, high-pitched tseet contact call, whistled fee-bee song, and array of warbles, screeches, and mobbing calls allow chickadees to coordinate a wide range of behaviors essential to their survival.