Black-capped (left) and Carolina (right) Chickadees
Local birder, David Shoch, asks that we all help document the ongoing irruption of Black-capped Chickadees in Albemarle County. If you think you may have Black-capped Chickadees coming to your feeders, please contact David by email at [email protected]
Negative data is also welcome.
While these two chickadees are easily confused, David Sibley reminds us to look carefully at size – the Black-capped is slightly larger overall and has a bigger head and longer tail. Colorwise too, there’s a bit of a difference – the Black-capped has wings with brighter white edges, and its white cheek-patch is totally white, whereas our more familiar Carolina friend has a cheek-patch that blends to a pale grayish color as it nears the shoulder.
So, do look closely to see if any northern chickadee neighbors have visited your feeders, and send along your findings to David Shoch (and maybe eBird, too).
