Chickadees Are Back At It

The hummingbird feeders may have been put away for the winter, but once they returned to use it did not take long for the Chickadees to resume their practice of treating the dishes as a personal water hole. In fact, this entertaining practice spread to other birds in the area. In 2009 I observed Carolina Wrens, Tifted Titmice, and even Mourning Doves visiting the hummer dishes for whatever treats appealed to them. I will be curious to see if the entire menagerie repeats that behavior this year and if it spreads farther. I'm reminded of the British milkbottle story where birds spread a behavior pioneered by one bird. What will our clever birds come up with? I'll bet the chickadees get there first!