My Little Chickadee at Tahoe

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The famous Tahoe Rim Trail includes a section called Chickadee Ridge, named for the birds who flock down to the hands of hikers willing to hold out a batch of seeds.  Friendly? Not really.  Pracitical—and smart. For decades, these birds figured that food often accompanies hikers; many years ago before they provided the trail name, the birds dove down on my supply of Doritos. We all know better now—supply healthy seed, more natural to their diet than salty chips. Getting an extra snack seems clever enough, but if the bird flies off with it and comes back empty beaked, that showcases another aspect of mountain chickadee smarts. The birds cache or store extra seeds but display remarkable memory banks so they can retrieve their stash during harsh winter months. Studies show the birds mostly depend on the wild for food; human offerings serve only as supplemental supplies so no harm done—just fun for hikers and a treat for fine feathered friends.