16. ~ Chickadee ~

Hello, my little chickadee! My little feathered friend! Chickadees are approximately five inches long. Their wingspan is six to eight inches (16 -21 cm). They weigh less than one ounce. Both sexes of this bird appear the same. Chickadees like to hide their seeds for later. They are members of the titmouse family. A welcome winter visitor is always the chickadee. These birds are generally found in groups of eight to twelve. They eat berries, seeds, and nuts. Chickadees are very active, lively, and agile birds. They are often seen hanging upside down. They are little hoppers. They are in constant motion when you see them. Chickadees are one of the easiest to hand-tame. They court during the months February to March. These birds are small with a tremendous appetitie. They peer into every nook and cranny searching for a meal. They live in pairs during spring to summer. Chickadees are absolutely delightful to watch, especially on a snowy day when they will warm your heart. They maybe small, but they are fearless little creatures. There are seven different species of chickadees. To the Cherokee Indians, they are known as the 'truth' bird.

Medicine:

Chickadees remind us of youthfulness. Their good medicine tells us to keep agile and not just our bodies, but also our minds. When was the last time you started and finished a crossword puzzle? Chickadees also teach us to listen to our partner. To find and focus on our likenesses and to overlook our differences. They teach us to go outside and enjoy a wintry walk. Chickadee medicine teaches us to see the sunny side of a situation and to find some way to lift our spirits. They remind us to always tell the 'truth'. Chickadees tell us to check every nook and cranny of our mind and heart to discover the truth of a situation with the faith that we should not fear the answer when we learn it. Chickadee medicine says that it is time to stop lying to ourselves!