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, and birds are quite rare any distance outside of their mapped range. 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 zone of overlap, a fairly stable and narrow band that runs along the east-central United States, the chickadees pose a serious identification challenge. To complicate matters, the species have been known to hybridize in the overlap zone. When identifying these two chickadees, concentrate equally on the differences in plumage and the differences in vocalizations. However, 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.
Field Marks
Black-capped Chickadee by Anne Middleton and Carolina Chickadee by Bob Vuxinic
Black-capped Chickadee by Elena Petrcich, Carolina Chickadee by Lisa Barker
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee
In fresh plumage (in the autumn and early spring) the greater wing coverts and secondaries are broadly edged in white, forming what appears to be a long white patch.
The greater wing coverts are more uniformly grey and show less white, lending a plainer look to the upper parts.
Black-capped Chickadee by Anthony Nazar, Carolina Chickadee by Marie Lehmann
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee
The lower edge of the black bib is generally less defined than on a Carolina Chickadee and appears uneven.
The bib is generally smaller, although there is some individual variation in bib size in both species. There is also a neat line of separation between the bib and belly, although this character may be obscured in very worn birds (especially in summer).
Black-capped Chickadee by Jill McElderry-Maxwell, Carolina Chickadee by Bob Vuxinic
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee
Noticeable buffy coloration under the wings.
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).
Unless you live in the area where the ranges of these birds overlap, you can identify your chickadees by location. However, if you are participating in Project FeederWatch and live in or near the overlap zone, please report your chickadees as “Black-capped Chickadee/Carolina Chickadee.”
