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chickadee

chickadee

9 5.8
A small North American bird with grey and black feathers and a clear cheerful call
  • noun
  • /ˈʧɪkəˌdi/
  • US
translation icon : carbonero
  • We have the little chickadee at our bird feeder and enjoy observing it so much.
  • little chickadee
  • black-capped chickadee
  • chickadees and woodpeckers

And the wounded Black Cap Chickadee is going to leave its nest and come after me.

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Examples

  • And the wounded Black Cap Chickadee is going to leave its nest and come after me.

  • Hanging from a tree limb was a stout metal basket for suet, beloved by chickadees and downy woodpeckers.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • We took off when we heard a chickadee call in the distance, hoping

    Blog text (27)
  • You said you wanted a bird feeder for Christmas so you could watch the chickadees while your leg heals.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • There's nothing like a chipper chickadee to liven up a winter morning.

    Blog text (23)
  • Rose shrugged and tossed the end of her almond to an attentive chickadee.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Squat little chickadees bustling about near the stoop flew away as Joe tromped up the steps and knocked.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • High in the forest's leafy eaves, redstarts and chickadees, warblers and woodlarks racketed.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The chickadee is known for its distinctive call and cheerful presence in gardens.

  • During winter, chickadees can be seen flitting between branches and searching for food.

Synonyms

bird
vschickadee
  • Slang
338 9.7

A young woman used informally to mean a girlfriend

refers to the real small North American animal with grey and black plumage
songbird
vschickadee
  • Specialized
17 2.3

A small bird, like a canary, that makes pleasant musical sounds

is a small North American bird with grey black plumage and a distinctive call
black-capped chickadee
vschickadee
  • US
1 8.5

A small North American bird with a black cap, white cheeks, and a gray body known for its clear call

is the broader name for similar small grey and black North American songbirds
Carolina chickadee
vschickadee
  • US
8.5

A small songbird from the southern United States that is smaller than the black-capped chickadee

is the wider group across North America, not only the southern form
Parus carolinensis
vschickadee
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bird from the southern United States often seen at bird feeders

is the common everyday term rather than the scientific label
blackcap
vschickadee
8.1

A small bird that sings and has a black head, often found in gardens and woods

is a specific North American small grey and black bird with a clear call

Compounds

A small North American bird with a black cap, white cheeks, and a gray body known for its clear call

A small songbird from the southern United States that is smaller than the black-capped chickadee

How Small

wren
5 2.2
chickadee
  • US
9 5.8
sparrow
38 1.0
pigeon
247 1.0

Surface Forms

chickadee singular
chickadees plural

Etymology

Chickadee comes from the bird's clear call, often written as 'chick-a-dee', so the name copies the sound the bird makes. The start chick also reminds us of a small or young bird, which helps explain why the word names this little songbird.