The black-capped chickadee is widely distributed throughout North America, ranging from the northern United States to southern Canada and all the way up to Alaska and Yukon. Their name comes from the fact that their calls make a distinctive "chick-a-dee-dee-dee sound. Their normal call is "fee-bee", but chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call is an alarm call and the number of "dees" depends on the predator. It feeds primarily on insects and seeds, and is known for its ability to cache food for use during the winter. The black-capped chickadee is a social bird and forms strict dominance hierarchies within its flock. During the winter, these flocks include other bird species. It has the ability to lower its body temperature during cold winter nights, allowing it to conserve energy.
Black-capped chickadees build nests in tree cavities, with the nesting season starting in late April and lasting until late June. They lay on average 6–8 eggs, which hatch after 11–14 days. Juveniles fledge 12–16 days after hatching.
During winter they are easily found around bird feeders. It has been known that the chickadee may alit on your hand to accept food.