Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Chestnut-backed Chickadees often travel in groups of up to 10, their soft, high-pitched calls understood by many other songbirds. These calls can attract mixed flocks, forming a "banditry" of feeding birds that benefit from the chickadees' keen awareness of danger. Known for their acrobatic feeding habits, they are frequently seen hanging upside down from branches, pecking at berries or searching for insects. With their rich chestnut backs and energetic movements, they are a lively presence in forests, parks, and gardens along the Pacific Coast.