Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile

Audio for Species

Call
Song

from Macaulay Library

Species Related Links

Additional Black-capped Chickadee Pictures

Description

Height: 4.75-5.9 inches (12-15 cm) Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g) Wingspan: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)

The Black-capped Chickadee is easily recognized by its short plump body, solid black cap and bib, and white cheeks. Its back and wings are slate-gray, with some streaks of white and black. The chest and underparts are white with light brown flanks.

 

Habitat, Range, and Feeding

Black-Capped Chickadees prefer deciduous woodlands, of the northern United States, Alaska and, Canada. Common in parks, open woods, cottonwood groves, and willow thickets. They are most commonly seen near edges of the wooded areas.

Diet consist mainly of insects and spiders. Caterpillars are preferred in the breeding season. Chickadees have been observed eating deer or skunk fat and fish. Plant materials include honeysuckle and blackberries, seeds from hemlocks, and wax-covered berries such as those of poison ivy and bayberry. They also frequent bird feeders. Black-capped Chickadees hide seeds and other foods; each item is hidden in a different spot and they can remember thousands of hiding places.