The Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and the Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) can be confusing species for eastern bird watchers to identify. The ranges of these species do not overlap much, so for many people a quick look at a range map will show which species are most likely to occur at their feeders. But for those who live in the narrow strip across the east-central United States in the zone of overlap, the chickadees pose a serious identification challenge. To complicate the identification problem the species have been known to hybridize in the overlap zone.

  

-In fresh plumage (usually in the autumn) the greater wing coverts and secondaries are broadly edged in white.

-The white patch on the wing is more exaggerated.

-The outer tail feathers are more broadly edged with white on the Black-capped Chickadee.

- sexes similar

-The greater wing coverts are more uniformly gray and show less white.

-The cinnamon-buff coloring under the wings is less developed on the Carolina Chickadee (but fresh adults in the northeast part of its range show brighter cinnamon and can be confused with Black-capped Chickadee)

- sexes similar

Narrow Zone of Overlap between species' ranges

Map courtesy of BirdSource

Bird watchers near the zone of overlap are encouraged to take extra precaution
with the identification of these species.

Songs and Calls

Near the zone of overlap, birds have been known to learn each other's vocalizations, and hybrids tend to deliver odd-sounding variations. A bird located near the zone of overlap that sings both songs, or sings "odd-sounding" songs, cannot be positively identified in the field

The Black-capped Chickadee's call is a lower and slower chick-a-dee-dee-dee. It functions as a contact call, one that serves to keep the winter flock together when birds cannot see one another.

Its song is a clear fee-bee. A loud version is given during territory skirmishes, a soft version is given during mate feeding.

The Carolina Chickadee's call is a higher and faster chick-a-dee-dee-dee.

-It also has a four note song, fee-bee-fee-bay.

 

Additional information
(Note: clicking on any link below will bring up a second browser window. You'll need to close that window to return to this page and the Great Backyard Bird Count site.)

	Birdscope article: Distinguishing Chickadees This Winter, 1999 article discusses the geographic distribution, habitat, and migratory and feeding habits of these two species.  Birdscope is the quarterly newsletter received by Project FeederWatchers and members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
	  Bird of the Week: Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird of the Week series contains detailed species accounts as well as photographs and paintings from a variety of sources. Each also contains identification tips that compare and contrast similar-looking species.Â
	Species Accounts from The Birdhouse Network:  Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee. Learn details about the breeding biology and winter movement and dispersal of these species from the Lab's cavity-nesting bird monitoring project.
	Online Bird Guide:  Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee. ID tips, cool facts, natural history information, sound, photos, range maps, and more.
Acknowledgements: Resources used to compile this species comparison: The Birdhouse Network's Bird Bios series; The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bird of the Week series; Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding (a Peterson field guide); The Sibley Guide to Birds (published by the National Audubon Society); Field Guide to the Birds of North America (published by National Geographic); Winter 1999 Birdscope article: Distinguishing Chickadees by Laura Kammermeier and Steve Kelling; A Guide to Bird Behavior Volume 1 by Donald Stokes. Illustrations by Larry McQueen, a world-renowned bird artist whose work is highly regarded for its ability to capture the true essence and beauty of birds. Bird Recordings: Black-capped Chickadee song recorded by Gregory F. Budney; Black-capped Chickadee call recorded by Robert C. Stein—LNS catalogue number 14655; Carolina Chickadee song recorded by William W. H. Gunn, Carolina Chickadee call recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller.