Bird of the Week: What you may not know about Maine's black-capped chickadee

It is hard to find a Mainer who does not know the black-capped chickadee, but Maine Audubon is revealing some unique facts that are bound to put you in-the-know among birders.

The black-capped chickadee is known for saying its name in its call, "chick-uh-dee-dee-dee." Additionally, with the more "dee's" at the end of the call, the more-heightened the threat.

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But aside from the call, the black-capped chickadee has a song you most likely heard but did not attribute to the little bird. A chickadee's song is a very sweet and simple whistle: “fee-bee." The Carolina chickadee sings, "fee-bee, fee-bay."

Black-capped chickadees dominate the northern states, while Carolina chickadees are rarely seen north of New Jersey. Aside from their call, the birds look almost identical.

Chickadees are non-migratory birds, meaning you will see them eating seeds at your feeder year-round.

Maine Audubon says they love sunflower seeds and chickadees, along with its cousin the tufted titmouse, open seeds in a way that no other bird species does.

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They are known to mate for life.

And finally, the black-capped chickadee is the state bird, not only for Maine, but for Massachusetts as well.