[Tweeters] Black-capped Chickadees sounding like Mountain Chickadees

[Louise via Tweeters]

When in areas where both species are expected, I have definitely heard
alarm calls that I would have sworn was mountain chickadee until I set eyes
on the bird and watched that sound come from a black-capped. Several of
those experiences have made me very reluctant to categorise them by heard
only on e-bird.

Louise Rutter
Kirkland

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 8:11 PM Eric Ellingson via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> Hello,

>

> I'm wondering if anyone knows much about Black-capped Chickadees sounding

> like Mountain Chickadees. I seem to remember reading somewhere that if the

> BCCH are raised near the MOCH they can pick up a "dialect". The reason I'm

> asking is because two of the Bird Sound Identification apps have given me

> MOCH when I definitely don't see them around in the Blaine, WA area. I'm

> not saying it is improbable, just not expected.

> Merlin has done this before and recently BirdNET gives a 89% confidence

> rating. I have a good sonogram showing the sound. Anyway, ideas? Anyone

> wanting the recording can DM me.

>

> Eric Ellingson

>

> 360-820-6396

> esellingson at gmail.com

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/

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