a North American bird with a black head (From the sound it makes). Any of several North American songbird species in the genus Parus (family Paridae), whose name imitates their call notes. They are friendly and easily attracted to feeders. The black-capped chickadee (P. atricapillus), found across North America, is 5 in. (13 cm) long and has a dark cap and bib. Old World members of the genus and some New World members are called tits or titmice