News Animals Dee for Danger: Chickadees add notes as threat grows By Susan Milius June 22, 2005 at 9:47 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Biologists report new progress in translating the sophisticated communication system of black-capped chickadees. NO CHICKEN LITTLE. This black-capped chickadee grades its “chickadee” alarm calls to match the menace of a lurking predator. Science When the little birds spot a lurking predator, they burst out with variations on their “chickadee” calls.