How to Identify a Black Capped Chickadee

A chickadee is a small song bird that can be found all over the United States. One of the things that bird watchers quickly discover is that the name chickadee is a broad term that is used to describe several different types of chickadees, including the Black Capped Chickadee.The Black Capped Chickadee is a cheerful looking bird that enjoys eating the berries and seeds that homeowners use to stock their birdfeeders. One of the black capped chickadee's unusual quirks is that it doesn’t just eat the provided food, it often flies off and stores the food in little caches in various areas, behavior that is normally associated with squirrels and chipmunks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the body. The body and structure of the Black Capped Chickadee is typical of all chickadees. They have a short squat build that often makes them appear to be over weight and makes it hard to believe that the bird is actually able to fly. The average length of the Black Capped Chickadee’s body is approximately 5.5 inches tall. The average chickadee weighs 11 grams.

2. Notice coloring. The Black Capped Chickadee’s underbelly can come in a variety of colors that range from tan, white, olive and gray. The feathers on the chickadee's back are soft gray in color. The wings and tail are black.

3. Note the head. The Black Capped Chickadee has a short blunt beak that is typical of seed eating birds. It has dark brown eyes.

4. Study the feathers. The cap of black feathers covering the small head is what inspired the small bird’s name; the cap covers the top of the bird's head, its forehead and its brown eyes. In addition to the distinctive cap the Black Capped Chickadee has a bid of black feathers covering its throat.

5. Watch it fly. When it is flying from one perch to another, the Black Capped Chickadee uses quick shallow wing beats. After several beats, the chickadee folds its wings against its sides and glides. The wings, which are pointed, span a distance of 8 inches.