The black-capped chickadee is a small songbird native to North America. With its distinctive black cap and throat bib, it is one of the most easily recognizable backyard birds. However, there is another chickadee species that bears a striking resemblance to the black-capped chickadee and is often mistaken for it by casual birdwatchers. In this article, we will explore what other chickadee looks almost identical to the black-capped chickadee and how to tell them apart.
The Carolina Chickadee
The bird species that most closely resembles the black-capped chickadee is the Carolina chickadee. Like the black-capped, the Carolina chickadee has a black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft gray undersides. The two birds have such similar plumage that they can be exceptionally difficult to distinguish visually, especially if you just catch a quick glimpse of one.
However, the Carolina chickadee has a more extensive range across the southeastern United States. It is found from southeastern Kansas and Missouri east to New Jersey and Florida, whereas the black-capped chickadee has a more northerly distribution across Canada and the northern half of the United States. So geographic location can provide a good clue as to which species you are observing.
Subtle Differences in Plumage
Though similar in appearance, the black-capped and Carolina chickadees do have a few subtle physical differences that allow an observant birder to tell them apart:
Carolina Chickadee
– Smaller white edging on the wings
– Less extensive white fringing on the tail
– Wings unmarked
– Whiter underside overall
Black-capped Chickadee
– More conspicuous white wing edging
– Broad white fringing on tail edges
– Two distinct white wing bars
– Buffier wash on sides and flanks
So if you can get a really good look at the chickadee, pay close attention to the precise pattern of white on the wings and tail. The black-capped chickadee will have more white accents overall.
Differences in Song and Calls
The most reliable way to distinguish these two virtually identical chickadees is by sound. The Carolina and black-capped chickadees have distinctive vocalizations that don’t overlap at all. Here are the differences:
Carolina Chickadee
– Number of notes in call: Typically 4 notes
– Call sounds like: fee-bee fee-bay
– Song is slower, lower, and more whistled
Black-capped Chickadee
– Number of notes in call: Typically 2 notes
– Call sounds like: chick-a-dee-dee
– Song is faster, higher, and more buzzy
So once you train your ear to recognize the species’ unique calls and songs, you can identify Carolina versus black-capped chickadees reliably every time. Carolina chickadees have a slower, lower, more whistled fee-bee fee-bay song and call. Black-capped chickadees have the familiar and distinctive chick-a-dee-dee call.
Behavioral Differences
The black-capped and Carolina chickadees exhibit some subtle differences in behavior as well:
Carolina Chickadee | Black-capped Chickadee |
---|---|
Less likely to visit feeders | Readily visits feeders |
More solitary, usually seen alone or in pairs | Forms winter flocks |
Travels shorter distances between perches | Flits actively between perches |
Hops along branches | Walks head-first down branches |
The Carolina chickadee is a bit more shy and retiring compared to the black-capped chickadee. You’re less likely to see it at feeders and more likely to spot it quietly foraging in the woods. The black-capped is a livelier, flocking bird that zips readily between feeders and branches.
Range and Habitat Preferences
The different geographic ranges of these two chickadees also provide clues. As mentioned earlier, the Carolina chickadee is centered in the southeastern United States. It lives in riparian woodlands, swampy areas, and open pine forests.
On the other hand, the black-capped chickadee has a more northerly distribution across northern North America. It prefers mixed or deciduous forests, especially those with plenty of snags or dead trees to nest in.
So habitat can provide additional hints to help identify between the two species. The Carolina chickadee sticks to wetter, southern forests. The black-capped prefers drier northern woodlands.
Conclusion
Telling apart the black-capped chickadee and its look-alike relative the Carolina chickadee requires a sharp eye and ear. While subtle differences in plumage, vocalizations, behavior, and range exist between the species, they can still be challenging for amateur birders to distinguish.
Pay close attention to small differences in plumage patterns, especially in the wings and tail. Listen closely to calls and songs – the “fee-bee” of the Carolina versus the “chick-a-dee-dee” of the black-capped. Note differences in behavior, as Carolina chickadees are shyer and more solitary. And consider your geographic location, as Carolinas inhabit the southeastern U.S. while black-cappects range further north.
With practice, birdwatchers can learn to confidently differentiate these two handsome but perplexing chickadees. Being able to positively identify species is key to appreciating the diversity of our avian neighbors. So keep obserwing chickadees in your area and compare field marks to hone your ID skills.