The Black-capped Chickadee. Maine’s state bird—and a favorite of mine.
When I moved with dog from coastal Maine last summer, I didn’t know I’d find this chickadee species out here in Utah (along with a new one I’ve seen—Mountain Chickadee). But I was happy to discover it’s a common resident.
True, the accent is off—its casual burble is louder and more declarative out here—but the behavior is the same, the look is the same, the song is (usually) just the same. Its a favorite species, a personable bird whose habit of keeping track with little calls of “Marco” and “Polo” attracts other species who appreciate such keeping track.
Today I got a good look at a singing male—singing loudly, proudly—and it made me smile.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8:15 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Mourning Dove
2. House Finch*
3. Lazuli Bunting
4. Black-capped Chickadee
5. Black-headed Grosbeak (v)
6. Black-chinned Hummingbird
7. Spotted Towhee
8. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
9. Rock Pigeon*
10. Pine Siskin
11. Lesser Goldfinch** (v)
12. Chipping Sparrow (v)
13. Warbling Vireo (v)
14. Song Sparrow** (v)
15. American Robin*
Elsewhere
16. Eurasian Collared Dove
17. European Starling
18. Barn Swallow
Mammals
Rock Squirrel
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American robin, barn swallow, black-capped chickadee, black-chinned hummingbird, black-headed grosbeak, blue-gray gnatcatcher, chipping sparrow, Eurasian collared dove, European starling, house finch, lazuli bunting, lesser goldfinch, mourning dove, pine siskin, rock pigeon, song sparrow, spotted towhee, warbling vireo
