This morning I was out just a few minutes before 7 AM and I heard a chickadee "fee beeing." It was minus 26 C(minus 13 F). Now people will all know what I'm talking about if chickadees are resident in your area. The fee bee call is one that catches your attention right away. This chickadee was doing his call constantly which indicates he's pretty serious about spring and mates.
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| My snowy bird feeded this morning. |
The male chickadee selects a territory which has suitable nesting habitat and a good food supply. Then he sings his little heart out to all the females in the area to come and have a look at him and the fine territory he has chosen. The interesting thing about chickadees is that they sometimes really rush the season and give a few calls in January. These are usually just one or two calls. So when I heard the call this morning it was a very good indication of serious mating activity which really says that spring is here.
A few years ago I happened to be surrounded by three male chickadees doing their call. One female was in the area. These little guys really called with all the vigor they had. The female went and took a look at all three callers and then flew out of the territory. She could probably hear anther male calling which my ears were not able to detect. The three males she visited all called after her as if to say come back and take another look at me.
So some people see robins as the perfect indicator of spring. Others see first green plant shoots of some kind as their sign of spring. Other people have a favorite blossom which to them indicates that spring is here. For me the little chickadee is all I need to hear for a sure sign of spring.
Chickadees are one bird we don't often see here. I know it's spring when the bluebirds make a short stop on their way somewhere (they don't stay either) and the shrikes come shrieking in to nest:( The one bird I love to hear though is the house wren.
ReplyDeleteI love those little chickadees and their calls to one another. We are lucky enough to have them here all year long. They are one of my favorite birds.
ReplyDeleteThe black capped and boreal chickadees are permanent residents here. They are certainly very active winter birds for us.
ReplyDeleteYou need more trees for chickadees. I will never forget how alive the grasslands are with birds. Many people think grasslands will not have many birds but there are many grassland species.
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing the love songs first thing in the morning this week, gets me all excited that maybe, just maybe spring might poke its head up soon. I don't do housebound very well. At least with all the snow there shall be lots of water for the ducks come thaw. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank to share this nice post.......
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You say it's the "fee bee" call, but I always hear it as though he's saying "pick me, pick me"! I love all my little chickadees and they stay all winter.
ReplyDeleteYes DJan, I have heard "pick Me" and it's very apropos. I'm sure there are other words that go along with this call.
ReplyDeleteThe chickadee in spring is extremely cheerful so it catches my attention.
ReplyDeleteI think very few of us do housebound very well. Tomorrow I will cross country ski as it might be the last time with winter snow. There will be lots of spring skiing but I'm not too good at spring snow conditions.
Have a great day!
Nice. :) It's the red-winged blackbirds lovely trill which is the true harbinger of spring for me. Though, I've been hearing the male cardinals singing their mating calls high atop the trees for about a week now. Spring will arrive.. eventually. :)
ReplyDeleteHilary, I guess the birds are as anxious for spring as we are.
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