Skip to main content
Close

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

Photo by GregMasteller
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

41.5067, -83.1466

Field Notes

Description:

Size & Shape
This tiny bird has a short neck and large head, giving it a distinctive, rather spherical body shape. It also has a long, narrow tail and a short bill a bit thicker than a warbler’s but thinner than a finch’s.

Color Pattern
The cap and bib are black, the cheeks white, the back soft gray, the wing feathers gray edged with white, and the underparts soft buffy on the sides grading to white beneath. The cap extends down just beyond the black eyes, making the small eyes tricky to see.

Habitat:

Chickadees may be found in any habitat that has trees or woody shrubs, from forests and woodlots to residential neighborhoods and parks, and sometimes weedy fields and cattail marshes. They frequently nest in birch or alder trees.

Species ID Suggestions

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

Comments (2)

I think you're right, black-capped chickadees have a more ragged "bib" and the Carolinas' have much more distinct borders. The black-caps also have more white in the wings.

Spotted for Missions

Photographed
PublishedMay 14, 2013

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon