A work colleague told me about a local conservation area where chickadees will eat out of your hand. I was doubtful, but curious and thought that either way, a walk in the woods is a nice way to spend an afternoon.
When I saw a few birds flying between two trees, I reached for a handful of seeds. I barely had my hand out of my pocket and was thinking, ‘I wonder if this will even work…’ as a bird landed on my hand – so unbelievably light that I didn’t feel the weight of the bird at all – only the light grasp of tiny feet.
One bird after another landed on my hand, and I didn’t have to concentrate on staying still since I was completely fascinated.
After a while though, I realized that my hand was completely numb from the cold. The expression says, ‘Cold hands. Warm heart.’ Not in this case. I just hadn’t thought it through. Then I looked over at my friend who also had a queue of birds lined up for a snack – taking turns landing on her glove.
This happened to be at the Hilton Falls Conservation Area, but I read afterwards that chickadees get used to humans quite easily. So you can try this anywhere these birds are used to being fed – holding still with your hand beside a bird feeder, for example.
A bird in the hand….doesn’t mean you have to go without warm mitts or gloves – but either way it’s amazing to see these little birds up close.
Play Outside Now 
At this moment I am enjoying (wait that sounds like I’m eating it for dinner) a Northern Junko according to my Peterson’s bird guide. It’s a type of Finch. My birdfeeder is outside my home office window and a very popular feeding spot for a family of Chicadees.
good. I will try. Did you know chickadee’s brains change in the fall so they remember where they stored food for the winter unlike squirrels who can’t remeber 90% of their storage places. I’m more like a squirrell
I’m going to try it this weekend with the Stellers Jays and Whiskey Jacks. Not too sure it will work with these big birds that hang around our place in the mountains.