The Black-capped Chickadee has a repoire of 15 calls and songs: Load fee-bee, Faint fee-bee, Chick-a-dee, Gargle, Snarl, Hiss, Twitter, Broken dee, Variable see, High see, Tseet(contact call), Flight/Restless note, Che-be-che, and Tseedeleedeet. Three other vocalizations are only uttered by the young (Subsong, begging dee, and distress call). The other vocalizations are given by adults, both females and males.(Poole,A.P. 1992)
1.Fee-bee: The male gives a loud distinct two note call often
during territorial disputes or to lead flocks. The first note of the phrase
is a higher tone than the second. It is usually repeated by another chickadee.
A softer version is given during mate feeding also from parents to fledling
young.
2. Chick-a-dee-dee: Highly complex call that is given by either male
or female thoughout the year. There are many contexts where this call is
used. It is thought to contain information on flock identity, when seperated
from the flock, when mobbing, when a new food source is found, by high ranked
chicadees as an "all clear" sign after a danger is past.
3: Tseet: Given by male or female at any time of year. This is a
high, short, and quite note that can be hard to hear. This call serves as
a contact call. Keeps individual birds together or to keep flocks together.
4:Flight/Restless Note: Similar to tseet (contact) call but more
notes and louder. Given when flock or pair moves.
Broken dee: This call has a harsh quality about it. It is during
situations were there are conflicts. An agressive call that can be followed
by a chase. It is used in territorial disputes.
5.Gargle: This is given mostly by males in autumn and winter. This
is a complex call that varies in lengh from 2 to 13 syllables. It could
be written as ch'dl'i-ch'dl'u. This usually indicates a high level
of aggression.
6.Hiss: This is a forced exhalation given when the bird is startled
during the breeding season. This display is common amoung Parids and called
a "snake dispaly."
7.Snarl: This rare agonistic call is used during contact flights.
8.Twitter: A rare call,used in unexpected attacks. Thought to inhibit
attacks.
9: High see: Given by either male of female. This call is short,
rapidly repeated and high whistles. This call is given when danger is spotted,
such as predators. An alarm call. This may cause surrounding birds to freeze
or become more alert (Poole,A.P. , et al eds. 1992).
10:Variable See: either the male or female makes this call. A high
call with empasis on the first syllable. It is usually accompined by a wing
quiver. the female gives this call during mate-feeding and by the young
when they are fledgings. There is geographic variation of the call
11: Che-be-che: Male or female. This is a fast call of three notes
with empasis on the last note. When a conflict has arrisen the dominant
bird may give this call so the other bird will fly away.
12: Tseedeleedeet: Male or female. The accent is on the last syllable.
This is one of many uttered during conflicts, skirmishes, chases, territorial
disputes (Stokes, D.W.,1979).
13.Subsong: Given only by young chickadees that are newly independant.
It is a soft, long and musical that has component of adult vocalizations.
It functions as vocal development.
14:Begging dee: Given by young chickadees to the parents. It is used
to demand food and as a means of location.
15:Distress call: Is given by young chickadees shortly after leaving
the nest. This call is to warn others of predators and to startle the predators.(Poole,A.P.
, et al eds. 1992).
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