Black-capped Chickadee

photo by Andrew McKinlay CC BY-NC

Black-capped Chickadee are lively little birds (5-6 in) with a large round head. Gray on top and white or light orange/brown underneath, they have a black cap and chin and white cheeks. The wings have white edges. Listen for their call (chick-a-dee-dee-dee).

Black-capped Chickadee are very acrobatic and can often be seen clinging upside down to a tree trunk. They eat insects, seeds, and berries and can often be found at bird feeders, especially in winter. They hide seeds and other food items to eat later. Each item is placed in a different spot and the chickadee can remember thousands of hiding places.

Black-capped Chickadee can be found year-round in Canada and the northern United States.

Could it be? Mountain Chickadee are found in western mountain forests and have a white stripe over their eyes. Brown-capped Boreal Chickadee are found in Canada's northern boreal forests and have a brown cap and back. Carolina Chickadee are found in the southeastern United States and have less white edging on their wings and a longer song.

Did you know? Each chickadee sleeps in its own individual hole in rotten tree trunks or stumps.