Black-capped Chickadee look-alikes
Poecile carolinensis
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Black-capped Chickadee. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
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Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
Key differences
The Carolina Chickadee is very similar in appearance but generally smaller and has a shorter tail. The most reliable field mark is the call: the Carolina Chickadee's 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee' call is faster and higher-pitched, and its 'fee-bee' song is typically four notes ('fee-bee-fee-bay') with the first two notes higher than the last two, unlike the Black-capped's two- or three-note song. In areas of overlap, the wing feathers of the Black-capped Chickadee show more white edging on the secondary feathers, creating a more prominent white panel on the folded wing, which is less distinct or absent in the Carolina Chickadee.
Mountain Chickadee
Poecile gambeli
Key differences
The Mountain Chickadee has a distinct white supercilium (eyebrow stripe) above its eye, which the Black-capped Chickadee lacks. Its call is also different, often described as a hoarse 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee'.
Boreal Chickadee
Poecile hudsonicus
Key differences
The Boreal Chickadee has a brown cap and bib, not black, and rusty flanks. Its range is also more northern and restricted to coniferous forests.
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