Watercolor portrait of Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli)

Mountain Chickadee

Poecile gambeli
This species is a year-round resident in… Mountain Chickadees love conifer woods —… Common Clear whistled song

Learn to identify the Mountain Chickadee by ear. Master the "fee-bee... fee-bay!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“fee-bee... fee-bay!”

What the Mountain Chickadee sounds like

A tiny, lively chickadee of western mountain forests. Look for the crisp white eyebrow over its black cap as it bounces through pine and fir branches, calling in bright, scratchy bursts.

“fee-bee... fee-bay!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A pure, ringing whistle of two to four notes. It carries cleanly through still mountain woods, especially on spring mornings. Often written as “fee-bee... fee-bay!”.
Don't confuse with:The Black-capped Chickadee — lacks the bold white eyebrow.

Where you'll hear it

Mountain Chickadees love conifer woods — pine, fir, spruce, and mixed evergreen forests. In winter, they often drift lower and show up at feeders near forest edges and foothill towns.

They are active in every season, often traveling in cheerful mixed flocks in fall and winter. Spring brings whistled songs and cavity nesting, while summer is full of busy family groups in the trees.

Similar species

Black-capped Chickadee

Lacks the bold white eyebrow.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Shows rich chestnut sides and back, not mostly gray.

Boreal Chickadee

Has a brown cap, not black.

Mountain Chickadee song FAQ

What does a Mountain Chickadee sound like?
A pure, ringing whistle of two to four notes. It carries cleanly through still mountain woods, especially on spring mornings. Listen for the "fee-bee... fee-bay!" phrase.
How do I tell a Mountain Chickadee from a Black-capped Chickadee by sound?
Black-capped Chickadee: Lacks the bold white eyebrow.; Usually favors lower, broader woods more than high conifer forest.; Often looks plainer-faced overall..
When is the best time to hear a Mountain Chickadee?
They are active in every season, often traveling in cheerful mixed flocks in fall and winter. Spring brings whistled songs and cavity nesting, while summer is full of busy family groups in the trees.