Black-capped Chickadee

(Poecile atricapillus)

LISTEN (Recordist: Fred Rowley)

General Description: Males, females, and juveniles all have the same plumage, including black caps, white cheeks, and black throats. They are gray above with buff sides fading to white undersides.

Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands, but also common in forest edges, parks, yards, wetlands, willow thickets, cottonwood groves, and disturbed areas.

Behavior: During the breeding season, they are territorial. In winter, they form flocks.  They are often seen foraging while hanging upside-down on branches and leaves.

Diet: Insects, spiders, berries, and seeds. In winter, vegetable matter such as seeds and fruit makes up half their diet; in warmer month, only 10 to 20 percent of their diet is plant-based.

Range in North America: Found in most northern U.S. states, as well as much of Canada. They are non-migratory.

When to See in Washington: Year-round residents in the Puget Trough. Commonly seen and are widespread in eastern Washington, especially along lowland streams.

For detailed information about Black-capped Chickadee, visit Seattle Audubon’s BirdWeb.