Mountain chickadee
Poecile gambeli
Appearance
Range & Habitat
Reciprocal Relationships
Their name comes from their call which can be heard throughout forested areas in B.C.: “chick-a-dee-dee-dee”. Living in alpine ecosystems can be very difficult, but it also inspires unique gifts for these birds. Mountain chickadees at higher elevations have bigger hippocampi (the part of our brain that regulates learning and memory) and therefore better memories of where they stashed their food.
Contrary to other birds, these chickadees will only lay one egg a day up to 12 days in a row. After approximately two weeks the chicks are hatched. During this period of incubation, the parents work together.
Threats to this species include clear-cutting mountain habitat, intense fires, and habitat loss due to urban development.