Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus L 5 1/4″ (13 cm)
Very similar to the Carolina Chickadee, except it’s cheeks are whiter; greater wing coverts and secondaries are broadly edged in white; darker centers; flanks more olive; lower edge of bib a bit more ragged. These differences are obscured in worn summer. Best distinction is voice. Black-capped’s call is a lower, slower chick-a-dee-dee-dee than Carolina’s song- which is a fee-bee-bee, the first note is higher in pitch. Range is common in woodlands, clearings, suburbs, thickets & low branches of trees. It is known that the Black-capped Chickadee and the Carolina Chickadee tend to hybridize. Their favourite food is black oil nyger sunflower seeds. They are extremely fast, energetic and very curious- being practically fearless. The chickadee are almost always seen hanging out together with the Tufted Titmouse.
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