Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus. Insects, spiders and larvae in summer; seeds, berries and cached food in winter.
- Scientific name
- Poecile atricapillus
- Length
- 4.7–5.9 in
- Weight
- 0.3–0.5 oz
- Nest
- Excavates or reuses cavities in soft, rotting wood; readily uses nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- 1 1/8 in round
- Clutch
- 1–13 eggs (usually 6–8)
- Incubation
- 11–14 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Black cap and bib separated by bright white cheeks
- Wing coverts edged broadly in white
- Buffy flanks and a relatively long, narrow tail
Voice
Clear two-note whistled "fee-bee"; the namesake "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call adds more "dee"s as threat level rises.
Diet and feeding
Insects, spiders and larvae in summer; seeds, berries and cached food in winter.
What do black-capped chickadees eat? · Best feeder for black-capped chickadees
Black-capped Chickadees by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | May–July |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Montana | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | May–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | May–June |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | May–July |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Utah | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | May–July |
Often confused with
Frequently asked
What do black-capped chickadees eat?
Insects, spiders and larvae in summer; seeds, berries and cached food in winter. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, suet, shelled peanuts, hulled sunflower.
How big is a Black-capped Chickadee?
4.7–5.9 in long and 0.3–0.5 oz.
Do black-capped chickadees use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 1/8 in round entrance, 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 ft.
Sources
- Black-capped Chickadee — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-capped Chickadee life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-capped Chickadee — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.