Aug 30, 2017 | Featured in: Watching Backyard Birds, August 2017

Carolina or Black-capped?

Left: Black-capped chickadee. Right: Carolina chickadee.
Share:

Are the chickadees at your feeder Carolina or black-capped? Carolina and black-capped chickadees are nearly identical. Carolinas are found primarily in the Southeast, while the range of the black-capped extends from northern Alaska to northern New Mexico, across the Great Plains, through the Great Lakes area into New England and eastern Canada. Black-cappeds also dominate in the highest elevations of the Appalachian mountains, while Carolinas are found in lower elevations nearby. Carolinas are slightly smaller than black-cappeds, and have less white on the edges of their wings. In general, black-cappeds appear brighter and fluffier than Carolinas. Unfortunately, where the ranges of the two species meet, hybrids occur and appear intermediate in size and color. If you live safely in the zone of one species or the other, observe your local chickadees carefully. The next time you are in the range of the other species, see if you can see the differences. There are several other chickadee species in North America, including mountain (in the West), chestnut-backed (in the Pacific Northwest), and boreal (in the North), but these are distinct from their cousins.

Did you know that Watching Backyard Birds is the only magazine in North America devoted entirely to backyard birds? Subscribe today and receive a heaping helping of backyard content year-round! »



What do you think? Tell us!

comments powered by Disqus

New On This Site

The Latest Comments

  • Re: Ask Birdsquatch: How to Appease House Wrens » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I have experienced this when a house wren punctured 5 blue bird eggs last spring in our blue bird box. Then I hung out a wren box by the trees and he got busy filling it and left the bluebirds alone and they successfully raised another brood!
    by Susan, Sun, 07 Apr 2019
  • Re: Feeding Wild Turkeys in My Yard » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I also have several turkeys that live in the woods behind me. They visit early morning and near sundown. Living in the country with a mountain and brook behind my house, I have animals visiting 24hrs a day. My turkeys are awesome. They know me and wait for their breakfast. They hop up on my patio wall to look in my windows. I also noticed the 2 birds that are the lookouts. They come over to eat as the others march across my lawn to my neighbor who also feeds the animals. We also have coyotes that, I am sure, have eaten turkey dinner. The squirrels run around and chase them to protect their seeds and cracked corn. I feed my 3 raccoons peanut butter jelly sandwiches, which they share with a possum and 3 skunks, at the same time, by the way. No food goes into my garbage. Meat scraps go to crows and hawks. Everything else, even soup, gets eaten before the sun is completely set. That keeps bears away if no dishes are there to entice. I break up bread in tiny pieces now and turkeys 'gobble' it up. So happy to find another person that enjoys wildlife. Nothing is more satisfying than walking out side and spotting Daisy the skunk, calling her name and watching her tripping all over herself, running to meet you. Thank you for your valuable information.
    by Stella Kachur, Wed, 27 Mar 2019
  • Re: How Much Seed in a Pound of Seed? » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    This is exactly my experience. The local feed store had some on sale so I thought I'd try some. Actually I was shocked at how it is avoided, and I've been feeding birds for more than 40 years. I suppose I've never had it out as the ONLY food source, but when I put it out along with the blackoil, peanuts, cracked corn and suet cakes, absolutely nothing would touch it. Even when I dumped some on the ground the rabbits wouldn't eat it, nor would the squirrels. Eventually some turkeys and deer ate some--when they could find nothing else underneath the other feeders. But even they left plenty on the ground which they NEVER do with cracked corn, sunflower, etc.Every person should try some if they're inclined and decide for themselves since every situation may be a bit different, but for me/my species, safflower is a big no.
    by Colin Croft, Sun, 03 Mar 2019
  • Re: Variety Attracts Variety » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I have questions about the Zick Dough? It says not to use in cold weather. It is still in the 40s here. Too soon? How long should I expect a supply to last? And, use a tray feeder? Thanks.
    by martindf, Sun, 25 Nov 2018
  • Re: 8 Common Bird-feeding Myths Debunked » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    Glad I found this. I'm a snowbird and was worried about all the birds that come to feed at my birdfeeder. I have Cardinals, sparrows, doves, Blue Jays, chickadees. I hope they'll find food elsewhere while I'm gone.
    by Donna, Sat, 03 Nov 2018