Then, we also have the tufted titmouse in the East, as well as plain and bridled titmice in California and the Southwest. Regardless of where they are encountered, they are all small, hardy birds with short bills, short wings and plumage that you can recognize immediately, even though there are distinct differences among all species except the black-capped and Carolina. The latter two, by the way, were considered to be one species until fairly modern times, so our inability to tell them apart easily is readily understood. All chickadees are active and agile birds, often hanging upside down from twigs to feed, and they are all thoroughly engaging. Reader after reader tells me how their chickadees wait impatiently for feeders to be refilled and how tame they become.
Chickadees are also leaders.
Whenever we are out birding, we listen for chickadee chatter, for as surely as we find them, we will find a flock of other small birds. Invariably chickadees are accompanied by titmice, nuthatches, a downy woodpecker or two, kinglets and warblers. In the winter, this is one of the most reliable ways of finding a yellow-rumped warbler. In fact, their insistent scolding has often led us to such predators. Chickadees are year-round residents over most of their range.