next. They have no less than 16 vocalisations. These songbirds understand how others are feeling through different tones. Birds squawk
and chirp to attract mates and warn of danger, however much of their intelligent chatter has until now eluded human comprehension.
The black-capped chickadee not only warns its flock of danger but also communicates the predator’s size and relative threat. On
some cold days, chickadees can be observed sitting close together, presumably for this purpose. When temperatures are well below
freezing, chickadees usually sleep in their own individual cavities. The average lifespan for these adorable friendly little birds is less than
two to three years. /SANDRA JAMES
