To Chickadees

Chickadees always make me smile. They are curious wee bits of life whose behaviour is familiar to most of us. Chickadees are often the first bird learned by children and adults alike. When I see cavities in trees I invariably wonder what might be in them, and surprisingly I might find a chickadee sleeping there even in the blackest cold of winter. They come to my feeder and bring other types of small song birds  with them like nuthatches, woodpeckers, kinglets, warblers and vireos. Although I can not tell who is who in a flock, the flock is hierarchal, and there are some chickadees called “winter floaters” and they join other flocks. Winter floater status changes from flock to flock. 

These delightful creatures are no slouches when it comes to brain power! Every fall, Black-capped chickadees' neurons containing old information die and are replaced with new neurons, allowing them to adapt to changes in their social flock and the environment. They often hide their seeds and can remember thousands of locations.

I would be quite happy with a “refresh” of my neurons!

changing focus

For Mr. French: Do you know this guy?