ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

black-capped chickadee

The black-capped chickadee is extremely similar to the Carolina chickadee, but is easily differentiated with practice by their vocalizations. Black-capped chickadees occur north of the Carolina's range, and for the most part they don't overlap. The song of the black-capped chickadee is a two-parted whistled fee-bee, and their chik-a-dee-dee calls are much huskier and slower in tempo than the Carolina's.

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapilla

At-a-Glance

• Peak Breeding Activity: April-July

• Clutch Size: 6-8 eggs

• Typical Foods: mostly insects and spiders

Description
Chickadees are small gray birds with distinct black caps and throats, and white cheeks. The black-capped chickadee is nearly identical to the Carolina chickadee except the black "bib" on the throat is more sharply defined on the black-capped and it has a conspicuous white area in the wing created by white feather edges. Also, their songs are notably different.

Habitat and Habits
The habitat of this bird is deciduous woods or residential areas, where they nest in hollow stumps or snags, old woodpecker dens, or in nesting boxes.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
The feather or grass-lined nest will contain six to eight white eggs, speckled with brown. The female builds and incubates the nest while the male brings food to her.