Poecile atricapillus

A small (4 ¾ -5 ¾ inches) songbird, the Black-capped Chickadee is most easily identified by its gray back and tail, pale breast, black chin, and black cap. However, positive identification of this species is complicated where its range overlaps with that of the closely related Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis). Black-capped Chickadees are generally larger and paler-winged than their southern relatives, but it is often impossible to separate the two species in the field by physical appearance alone. Hybrids with mixed physical and vocal characteristics do occur, further complicating identification. Male and female Black-capped Chickadees are similar to one another in all seasons. The Black-capped Chickadee breeds across much of southern Alaska, Canada, and the northern half of the United States. This species’ range overlaps with that of the Carolina Chickadee in a narrow band stretching from the Mid-Atlantic region west to Kansas, particularly where this species’ range dips southward at higher elevations in the lower Appalachian Mountains. Black-capped Chickadees are generally non-migratory, although small groups may wander at times when food is scarce. Black-capped Chickadees inhabit a number of forest types, including deciduous and mixed deciduous-evergreen woodland habitats. This species also utilizes human-altered habitats, and may be found in urban and suburban areas where food and sufficient tree cover are available. Black-capped Chickadees eat a variety of plant and animal foods, with insects predominating in summer and seeds becoming more important in winter. In appropriate habitat, Black-capped Chickadees may be observed foraging for food in the tree canopy, often hanging from the ends of branches while eating seeds or picking insects off of leaves and bark. This species is also a common backyard feeder bird, visiting feeding trays as part of mixed flocks of small songbirds. This species’ song, a whistled “fee-bee-bee,” and its call, a clear “chick-a-dee-dee-dee,” are both lower-pitched than those of the Carolina Chickadee. Black-capped Chickadees are primarily active during the day.

Threat Status: Least concern

Global Range: This species is resident from western and central Alaska eastward across central and southern Canada to Newfoundland, and south to northwestern California, southern Utah, central New Mexico, Kansas, central Missouri, central Indiana, and northern New Jersey, and at higher elevations to the southern Appalachians (AOU 1998). Wanders irregularly south in winter.

Black-capped chickadees live only in North America. They can be found from Alaska through the southern half of Canada and as far south as the northern half of the United States.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

The black-capped chickadee is resident from western and central Alaska,
most of Canada south of the arctic circle, south to extreme northwestern
California, extreme northeastern Nevada, northern New Mexico, central
Indiana, and northern New Jersey. At upper elevations in the
Appalachians its range extends farther south [6,31].

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

1 Northern Pacific Border
2 Cascade Mountains
5 Columbia Plateau
6 Upper Basin and Range
8 Northern Rocky Mountains
9 Middle Rocky Mountains
10 Wyoming Basin
11 Southern Rocky Mountains
12 Colorado Plateau
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
14 Great Plains
15 Black Hills Uplift
16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands

AK AZ CA CO CT ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MO MT NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

AB BC MB NB NF NT NS ON PE PQ SK YT

The Black-capped Chickadee is confined to North America, ranging through most of Canada and the upper two-thirds of the United States.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Black-capped chickadees have short plump bodies, a solid black cap and bib, and white cheeks. They are a small bird weighing only 11 g and measuring 13.3 cm in length. Their wingspans measure 20.3 cm in flight. Their backs and wings are dark greenish-gray, with some streaks of white and black adorning the wing feathers. Their bellies are white with a light-reddish color on the flanks. They have small, pointed black beaks and dark legs. Male and female chickadees are identical.

Young black-capped chickadees resemble adults, but have brighter colors with more reddish coloration on the flanks.

Average mass: 11 g.

Average length: 13.3 cm.

Average wingspan: 20.3 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Average mass: 10.4 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.252 W.

The Black-capped Chickadee is easily recognized by its short plump body, solid black cap and bib, and white cheeks. Its back and wings are dark greenish-gray, with some streaks of white and black.

Average mass: 10.4 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.252 W.

Length: 13 cm

Weight: 11 grams

The amount of white on the outer edge of the greater coverts is the best character for distinguishing PARUS ATRICAPILLUS and P. CAROLINENSIS in the field, but birds in the contact zone may not be identified with certainty (Robbins 1989).

Black-capped chickadees prefer forests, woods and parks, cottonwood groves, and willow thickets. They are most commonly seen near edges of wooded areas. They are a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders. Black-capped chickadees nest in cavities, usually in dead trees or stumps, and are attracted to habitats with suitable nesting locations. During the winter, small flocks of black-capped chickadees can be found in dense pine forests.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; forest

Other Habitat Features: suburban

More info for the terms: density, snag, softwood, tree

Nesting: Black-capped chickadees excavate holes in soft decayed wood
and also use existing cavities (but usually only if there is material to
be excavated) [30,31]. Dead standing trees greater than 4 inches (10
cm) dbh are used for nesting and feeding [6]. In Illinois nests were
found in cavities of stubs (broken off snags). The stubs were usually 5
to 6.6 feet (1.6-2 m) tall and 4.3 to 5.1 inches (11-13 cm) in diameter
[41].

Common nest sites are stubs of gray birch (Betula populifolia) or paper
birch (B. papyrifera) [12], but almost any early seral species with soft
wood may be used; the particular tree species favored depends on the
region. Most of these trees occur as living trees in early seral
stages, are short-lived, and persist into intermediate seral stages as
decaying snags [40]. For example, Odum [23] reported that of 18
black-capped chickadee nests he observed in upstate New York, 4 were in
pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), 3 in paper birch, 3 in American beech
(Fagus grandifolia), 2 in yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), 2 in
willows (Salix spp.), 1 in basswood (Tilia americana), 1 in sugar maple,
1 in white ash (Fraxinus americana), and 1 in an apple tree (Malus spp.)
[40]. In Vermont northern hardwoods forests, most black-capped
chickadee nest trees were in an advanced state of decay with soft outer
wood. Most nests were in trees that were shorter than neighboring
non-nest trees, but no smaller in diameter [26]. Nest trees used by
black-capped chickadees in northwestern Montana western larch (Larix
occidentalis)-Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests averaged 8
inches (20 cm) dbh and ranged from 4 to 12 inches (10-30.5 cm) dbh.
This was the smallest average diameter used by any of the cavity-nesting
birds observed [21]. Most nests were in broken-topped larch trees [20].
In Iowa 92 percent of black-capped chickadee nests in riparian
communities were in snags, 4 percent were in dead limbs of living trees,
and 4 percent were in living trees. There was a positive association
between black-capped chickadee use and snag size in snags less than 9
inches (25 cm) dbh [32]. In a riparian area in Colorado with a viable
black-capped chickadee population, snags are not plentiful but large
dead branches are. In an area dominated by plains cottonwood (Populus
deltoides var. occidentalis) with some peachleaf willow (S.
amygdaloides) and boxelder (Acer negundo), cottonwood snags comprised
2.7 percent of all cottonwood stems. This density of snags is quite
low, primarily due to the decadence of the stand. However, limb trees
(trees with more than 3.3 feet [1 m] of dead limbs greater than 4 inches
(10 cm) in diameter) made up 47 percent of the cottonwood population
[27].

In western Montana, McClelland and others [19] observed black-capped
chickadees using cavities excavated by sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus spp.)
[19]. Birdhouses are used occasionally [6].

Roosting: Black-capped chickadees roost primarily in thick vegetation
or in cavities, particularly on cold nights. Flocks seldom roost
clumped together, but flock members usually roost near each other [31].

Foraging and Feeding: Flock members usually feed from 3.3 to 33 feet
(1-10 m) apart, occasionally feeding within 2.5 inches (6 cm) for brief
periods [31].

Breeding Territory: Black-capped chickadee breeding territory size
varies with habitat quality, black-capped chickadee population density,
rank, and the course of the breeding season [30]. In upstate New York
breeding territories ranged in size from 8.4 acres (3.4 ha) to 17.1
acres (6.9 ha) and averaged 13.2 acres (5.3 ha) [23]. An eastern
Massachusetts population had an average breeding territory size of 10.7
acres (4.3 ha), but ranged from 3.8 to 17.9 acres (1.5-7.2 ha) [30].

More info for the terms: density, selection, tree, vine

Black-capped chickadees prefer relatively open sites near deep woods
[6]. They are usually more common near edges, but also occur in the
interior of wooded tracts [31]. In Iowa most observations of
black-capped chickadees were in floodplain woodlands and scrub; fewer
black-capped chickadees were observed in upland woodlands, wooded edges,
and savannah (in descending order of numbers of observations).
Black-capped chickadee observations were positively correlated with
sapling and tree species richness, sapling and tree size, and vertical
patchiness. There was a negative correlation with vine density and with
snag hardness [32]. In Saskatchewan black-capped chickadees were found
in aspen (Populus spp.) groves larger than 0.5 acre (0.2 ha) in area,
and did not occur in smaller groves [15]. In Montana foliage-insect
feeders including black-capped chickadees were observed most often in
uncut forests. Black-capped chickadees fed primarily where foliage
canopy was well developed above 26.4 feet (8 m) [24].

Riparian communities are important to black-capped chickadees and other
gleaners (birds which search vegetation for stationary prey). Emerging
aquatic insects are a particularly valuable food for gleaners. Mayflies
and stoneflies spend most of the daylight hours resting on low
vegetation near the stream channel. The density of gleaners (in this
area black-capped chickadees were the most abundant gleaners) is
positively correlated with emergence rates of aquatic insects [10].

In Colorado black-capped chickadee nest site selection was positively
associated with density of small trees; in Missouri and Tennessee,
black-capped chickadees are reported to prefer small trees and young
open forest [28].

More info for the terms: presence, shrub, shrubs, tree

Black-capped chickadee habitat includes evergreen forested wetlands,
deciduous forested wetlands [35], deciduous woodlands, mixed woodlands,
deciduous and coniferous forests, orchards, deciduous shrubs, urban and
suburban areas [6], and disturbed areas such as old fields. Favored
riparian communities include cottonwood (Populus spp.) and sometimes
willow (Salix spp.) thickets. Birches (Betula spp.) and alders (Alnus
spp.) are often used for both food and nesting, but black-capped
chickadees use a wide variety of other plant species as well.
Black-capped chickadees occur in many habitat types [31].

In western North Dakota black-capped chickadees forage in the canopy and
nest in cavities in cottonwood stands; they occupy ash (mostly green ash
[Fraxinus pennsylvanica]) woodland interiors, and are found in pine
(Pinus spp.) communities. Black-capped chickadees are common in dense
ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa) stands with well-developed shrub layers [14].

In the Konza Prairie, Kansas, black-capped chickadees were the second
most abundant species in gallery forests. These forests are dominated
by bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), chinkapin oak (Q. muehlenbergii), and
hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) [8]. Black-capped chickadees also occur
on adjacent prairie dominated by big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii),
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum
virgatum), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). The presence of
black-capped chickadees in grassland habitat was attributed to the
availability of isolated tree and shrub patches along ravines [8].

In Illinois black-capped chickadees were recorded in northern red oak
(Q. rubra)-sugar maple (Acer saccharum)-hackberry dominated woodlands [35].

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This species is known to occur in association with the following Rangeland Cover Types (as classified by the Society for Range Management, SRM):

109 Ponderosa pine shrubland
110 Ponderosa pine-grassland
412 Juniper-pinyon woodland
422 Riparian

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

1 Jack pine
5 Balsam fir
12 Black spruce
13 Black spruce-tamarack
14 Northern pin oak
15 Red pine
16 Aspen
17 Pin cherry
18 Paper birch
19 Gray birch-red maple
20 White pine-northern red oak-red maple
21 Eastern white pine
22 White pine-hemlock
23 Eastern hemlock
24 Hemlock-yellow birch
25 Sugar maple-beech-yellow birch
26 Sugar maple-basswood
27 Sugar maple
28 Black cherry-maple
30 Red spruce-yellow birch
31 Red spruce-sugar maple-beech
32 Red spruce
33 Red spruce-balsam fir
34 Red spruce-Fraser fir
35 Paper birch-red spruce-balsam fir
37 Northern white-cedar
38 Tamarack
39 Black ash-American elm-red maple
40 Post oak-blackjack oak
42 Bur oak
43 Bear oak
44 Chestnut oak
46 Eastern redcedar
50 Black locust
51 White pine-chestnut oak
52 White oak-black oak-northern red oak
53 White oak
55 Northern red oak
57 Yellow-poplar
58 Yellow-poplar-eastern hemlock
59 Yellow-poplar-white oak-northern red oak
60 Beech-sugar maple
62 Silver maple-American elm
63 Cottonwood
87 Sweetgum-yellow-poplar
93 Sugarberry-American elm-green ash
94 Sycamore-sweetgum-American elm
95 Black willow
107 White spruce
108 Red maple
109 Hawthorn
110 Black oak
201 White spruce
202 White spruce-paper birch
204 Black spruce
205 Mountain hemlock
206 Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir
210 Interior Douglas-fir
208 Whitebark pine
210 Interior Douglas-fir
211 White fir
212 Western larch
213 Grand fir
215 Western white pine
216 Blue spruce
218 Lodgepole pine
219 Limber pine
223 Sitka spruce
224 Western hemlock
225 Western hemlock-Sitka spruce
227 Western redcedar-western hemlock
228 Western redcedar
229 Pacific Douglas-fir
230 Douglas-fir-western hemlock
234 Douglas-fir-tanoak-Pacific madrone
237 Interior ponderosa pine
238 Western juniper
244 Pacific ponderosa pine-Douglas-fir
245 Pacific ponderosa pine
251 White spruce-aspen
253 Black spruce-white spruce
254 Black spruce-paper birch

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the terms: bog, shrub

K001 Spruce-cedar-hemlock forest
K002 Cedar-hemlock-Douglas-fir forest
K003 Silver fir-Douglas-fir forest
K004 Fir-hemlock forest
K005 Mixed conifer forest
K008 Lodgepole pine-subalpine forest
K010 Ponderosa shrub forest
K011 Western ponderosa forest
K012 Douglas-fir forest
K013 Cedar-hemlock-pine forest
K014 Grand fir-Douglas-fir forest
K015 Western spruce-fir forest
K016 Eastern ponderosa forest
K017 Black Hills pine forest
K018 Pine-Douglas-fir forest
K019 Arizona pine forest
K020 Spruce-fir-Douglas-fir forest
K021 Southwestern spruce-fir forest
K022 Great Basin pine forest
K028 Mosaic of K002 and K026
K029 California mixed evergreen forest
K081 Oak savanna
K082 Mosaic of K074 and K100
K093 Great Lakes spruce-fir forest
K094 Conifer bog
K095 Great Lakes pine forest
K096 Northeastern spruce-fir forest
K097 Southeastern spruce-fir forest
K098 Northern floodplain forest
K099 Maple-basswood forest
K100 Oak-hickory forest
K101 Elm-ash forest
K109 Transition between K104 and K106

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES10 White-red-jack pine
FRES11 Spruce-fir
FRES15 Oak-hickory
FRES17 Elm-ash-cottonwood
FRES18 Maple-beech-birch
FRES19 Aspen-birch
FRES20 Douglas-fir
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES22 Western white pine
FRES23 Fir-spruce
FRES24 Hemlock-Sitka spruce
FRES25 Larch
FRES26 Lodgepole pine

Systems

• Terrestrial

Black-capped chickadees prefer deciduous woodlands, open woods and parks, cottonwood groves, and willow thickets. They are most commonly seen near edges of wooded areas.

Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; forest

Comments: Black-capped chickadees inhabit deciduous and mixed deciduous/coniferous forest and woodland, willow thickets, cottonwood groves, old fields, and wooded suburban areas. Nests are in cavities dug by both sexes in trees, especially dead trees or rotten branches, sometimes in existing natural cavities, old woodpecker holes, bird boxes, or similar sites (Grubb and Bronson 1995, Condor 97:1067-1070).

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Black-capped chickadees feed on both animals and plants (the overall consumption has been measured to be about 70% animal and 30% plant). Animal foods consist mainly of insects and spiders. Caterpillars are preferred in the breeding season. Chickadees have been observed eating dead deer, skunks and fish. Plant materials eaten by chickadees include honeysuckle and blackberries, seeds from hemlocks, and wax-covered berries such as those of poison ivy and bayberry. They are often seed at backyard bird feeders, eating seed and suet. Black-capped chickadees obtain water from streams, puddles, bird baths, or by eating snow.

Animal Foods: carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

More info for the terms: scatter-hoard, tree

Foraging: Black-capped chickadees forage from ground to treetop; ground
foraging birds have usually been displaced by higher ranking birds [30].
Black-capped chickadees forage on tree trunks, branches, and foliage
[11], feeding on insects [34], seeds, and berries. Five basic foraging
maneuvers used by black-capped chickadees are 1) gleaning (57% of time
spent foraging), 2) hanging from leaf or twig to capture food items
(28%), 3) hovering (8.8%), 4) probing (3.5%), and 5) catching insects in
flight, called hawking (2.4%). These proportions probably vary with
availability of prey, season, and other factors [31].

Caching: Black-capped chickadees cache seeds from open cones [11].
Insects are also cached. Most caching occurs in the fall, but caching
may occur at any time food is plentiful. Storage sites include bark,
dead leaves, clusters of conifer needles, dirt, and snow. Black-capped
chickadees scatter-hoard; they hide each individual food item in a
separate spot [31]. Sherry [29] reported that black-capped chickadees
can remember cache sites for at least 24 hours, and Hitchcock and Sherry
[13] reported that captive black-capped chickadees can recover caches
after 28 days.

Animal Foods: In winter, approximately 50 percent of black-capped
chickadee foods are animal foods, the rest seeds and berries. During
the breeding season, 80 to 90 percent of the black-capped chickadee diet
is animal foods [18,31]. Winter black-capped chickadee animal foods
consist mostly of eggs of moths, plant lice, katydids, and spiders. In
summer moths, caterpillars, spiders, beetles (particularly weevils),
flies, wasps, true bugs, plant lice, scale insects, leafhoppers, and
tree hoppers are common food items [18]. Smith [30] described the
black-capped chickadee summer diet as consisting largely of
caterpillars, including some hairy caterpillars such as early instar
gypsy moths and tent caterpillars. Black-capped chickadees have been
observed taking animal fat from carrion and eating suet and peanut butter
at feeders [30].

Plant Foods: Black-capped chickadee plant foods are mainly seeds and
berries including goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and staghorn sumac (Rhus
typhina) seeds in fall. Pine seeds are a main staple in fall, winter,
and spring. Seeds of hemlocks (Tsuga spp.) and birches are eaten in
winter; seeds or fruits of poison-ivies (Toxicodendron spp.),
blueberries and huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.), bayberries (Myrica
spp.), ragweeds (Ambrosia spp.), sunflowers (Helianthus spp.),
chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus
quinquefolia) are eaten in spring and summer [18]. Raspberries (Rubus
spp.), cherries (Prunus spp.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron
tulipifera) seeds are also consumed [30].

Fluids: Black-capped chickadees drink when water is available. Fluids
are derived mostly from foods in winter; highest demand for liquid water
is in summer [31].

Black-capped chickadees feed on both animals and plants (the overall consumption has been measured to be about 70% animal and 30% plant). Animal foods consist mainly of insects and spiders. Caterpillars are preferred in the breeding season. Chickadees have been observed eating deer or skunk fat and fish. Plant materials eaten by the chickadee include honeysuckle and blackberries, seeds from hemlocks, and wax-covered berries such as those of poison ivy and bayberry.

Comments: Eats mainly insects and other small invertebrates, and their eggs and immature stages, and seeds and fruits; forages mainly on woody twigs, branches, and stems (Terres 1980).

As a cavity nesting species that excavates new nests each season, black-capped chickadees create habitat for other local species that rely on cavities. Many species that nest in cavities do not have the ability to create cavities themselves and are only able to breed where others have abandoned a nest. Black-capped chickadees occasionally eat seeds and berries and likely contribute to local seed distribution.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; creates habitat

Black-capped chickadees give sharp "zeet" alarm calls when they see a predator. Predators are often mobbed by groups of chickadees in order to scare it away. Predators near nests often evoke a distraction display, where the chickadee lands near the predator, leans towards it with the tail feathers fully spread, and raises and lowers its wings.

Adult black-capped chickadees are preyed on primarily by small hawks, owls, and shrikes, including Accipiter striatus, Lanius excubitor, Otus asio, and Aegolius acadicus. Eggs and nestlings are preyed on by mammalian nest predators such as Procyon lotor, squirrels (genera Sciurus and Tamiasciurus), Didelphis virginianus, and Mustela. Troglodytes aedon sometimes destroy eggs in order to take over the nesting cavity.

Known Predators:

• Sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter_striatus)
• Northern shrikes (Lanius_excubitor)
• Eastern screech owls (Otus_asio)
• Saw whet owls (Aegolius_acadicus)
• Raccoons (Procyon_lotor)
• Tree squirrels (Sciurus)
• Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus)
• Opossums (Didelphis_virginianus)
• Weasels (Mustela)
• House wrens (Troglodytes_aedon)

Natural predators of the black-capped chickadee include goshawk
(Accipiter gentilis), sharp-shinned hawk (A. striatus), Cooper's hawk
(A. cooperii), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), merlin (F.
columbarius), northern pygmy-owl (Glaucidium gnoma), and northern shrike
(Lanius excubiter). Around birdfeeders, the black-capped chickadee is
often preyed on by the domestic cat (Felis catus). Nest predators are
largely excluded by the small size of black-capped chickadee nest
entrance holes, but very small squirrels (Tamiascurius spp.) or
chipmunks (Tamias spp.) occasionally raid black-capped chickadee nests.
Weasels (Mustela spp.) and climbing snakes pose a threat to eggs and
nestlings [30].

Black-capped chickadees give sharp "zeet" alarm calls when they see a predator. Predators are often mobbed by groups of chickadees in order to scare it away. Predators near nests often evoke a distraction display, where the chickadee lands near the predator, leans towards it with the tail feathers fully spread, and raises and lowers its wings.

Adult black-capped chickadees are preyed on primarily by small hawks, owls, and shrikes, including sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus), northern shrikes (Lanius excubitor), eastern screech owls (Otus asio), and saw whet owls (Aegolius acadicus). Eggs and nestlings are preyed on by mammalian nest predators such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), squirrels (Sciurus and Tamiasciurus), opossums (Didelphis virginianus), and weasels (Mustela). House wrens (Troglodytes aedon) sometimes destroy eggs in order to take over the nesting cavity.

Known Predators:

• sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus)
• northern shrikes (Lanius excubitor)
• eastern screech owls (Otus asio)
• saw whet owls (Aegolius acadicus)
• raccoons (Procyon lotor)
• tree squirrels (Sciurus)
• red squirrels (Tamiasciurus)
• opossums (Didelphis virginianus)
• weasels (Mustela)
• house wrens (Troglodytes aedon)

Poecile atricapillus (Baltimore oriole, chickadee, least flycatcher, rosebreasted grosbeak, willow thrush) is prey of:
Accipiter striatus
Accipiter cooperii
Bubo virginianus

Based on studies in:
Canada: Manitoba (Forest)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Poecile atricapillus (Baltimore oriole, chickadee, least flycatcher, rosebreasted grosbeak, willow thrush) preys on:
Araneae
Insecta

Based on studies in:
Canada: Manitoba (Forest)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

More info for the terms: density, snag, wildfire

The most likely change due to fire in black-capped chickadee habitat is
with respect to snag density (nest site availability) and food
availability. Niemi [22] suggested that chickadee populations generally
decrease following fire, probably due to a decrease in habitat
complexity and available food.

In northern Rocky Mountain conifer forests that were severely burned
within 1 to 2 years of the study, black-capped chickadees were detected
on 13 of 33 sites. In a survey of bird habitat studies in northern
Rocky Mountain dryland habitats, segregated by habitat type,
black-capped chickadees were found on early successional (less than 10
years old) burned forest (48% of 23 studies), and mid-successional (10
to 40 years old) burned forest (40% of 5 studies). Studies reporting
observations of birds in cottonwood bottomlands had the highest
proportion of black-capped chickadee observations (64% of 21 studies).
Black-capped chickadees had a habitat preference average of 9.71 out of
15 possible habitats (if this figure were 1, a bird species is
restricted to only 1 of the 15 habitats, if the figure were 15, the
species has shown absolutely no preference for any of the available
habitat types) [39].

In northern Minnesota the Little Sioux fire burned 15,000 acres (6,072
ha) of northern hardwoods and pine forests. Black-capped chickadees
were common on unburned stands, but in postfire years 2, 3, and 4 they
were uncommon on all burned study sites [22].

In north-central Colorado a severe 1966 wildfire in lodgepole pine
(Pinus contorta) with subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) and Engelmann
spruce (Picea engelmannii) resulted in widespread crown mortality. In
1974 there were many standing dead trees on the burned site. There were
no black-capped chickadees observed on the burned site, but there were a
few in the ecotone and in adjacent unburned lodgepole stands [25].

More info for the terms: altricial, formation, torpor

Pair Formation: The peak period for pair formation is fall and is
associated with winter flock formation; winter flocks consist largely of
mated pairs. Even very young black-capped chickadees form pair bonds at
this time. A few pairs are formed in winter following mortality of
high-ranking members of the flock, and occasionally floaters
(low-ranking individuals unattached to a mate or a flock) establish new
pair bonds in spring [30,31].

Territory Establishment: Territories are established in spring, during
winter flock break-up; this period varies with area, year, and other
factors. Breeding territory boundaries are usually established 5 to 7
weeks before onset of egg-laying [30,31].

Nesting: Both the male and female excavate the nest hole, but the
female builds the nest. The cup-shaped nest consists of cottony plant
fibers, hairs, wool, moss, and leaves, and is lined with hair, plant
down, wool, and feathers [12].

Clutch: Eggs are laid from early April to mid-July depending on spring
weather and food availability [30]. Usually 1 egg is laid per day; the
average clutch size is from 6 to 8 eggs, ranging from 5 to 10. Eggs are
incubated for 12 to 13 days by the female, who is fed by the male [38].
All eggs usually hatch within 12 to 30 hours of each other, usually in
the order laid [31]; nestlings are present from early May to late July
[30,31].

Development of Young: Black-capped chickadees are altricial; newly
hatched young are blind and nearly naked. They have pinfeathers by
about day 9, and usually fledge on day 16. When nests are disturbed,
fledglings may leave the nest early, sometimes as early as 12 days.
Fledglings are fed by the parents for 2 to 4 weeks (3-4 weeks is
typical) [30,31].

Longevity: Age at first breeding is typically less than 1 year,
although some individuals may not breed until they are 1 or 2 years old.
The average lifespan of black-capped chickadees is approximately 2.5
years; however, 5-year-old birds were not uncommon in northwestern
Connecticut [17]. The longest lived black-capped chickadee on record
was at least 12 years 5 months at the time of last banding [31].

Mortality: Black-capped chickadees are fairly cold hardy; the majority
of black-capped chickadee mortality is believed to be caused by winter
malnutrition, which reduces the ability to withstand cold weather and
resist disease. There have been few major outbreaks of diseases in
black-capped chickadee populations and there are relatively few nest
parasites [31].

Wintering: Wintering flocks of black-capped chickadees usually consist
of four to eight individuals [9]. Black-capped chickadee residence in
cold climates is made possible by night torpor, a regulated hypothermia
which allows black-capped chickadees to survive cold nights with minimum
energy loss [31].

Seasonal Movements: Long-distance movements are usually only undertaken
by black-capped chickadees less than 1 year old. However, large numbers
of black-capped chickadees emigrate at irregular intervals of about 2
years. These movements are more properly termed irruptions than
seasonal migrations. Factors influencing irruptions, particularly in
the eastern portions of the black-capped chickadee range, include
fluctuation in northern seed crops and unusually high recruitment rates.
Fall movements tend to be south or southwest; spring movements are
usually northward but are sometimes aimless [31]. Movement over water
is avoided or undertaken only with great hesitation [30,38].

In Massachusetts, once they became breeders, males lived an average of 3.2 years, females lived an average of 2.5 years (Smith 1995, Auk 112:840-846). In Alberta, winter survival rates were higher in a food-supplemented area than in a control area, but breeding densities in the two areas were similar (Desrochers et al. 1988). In Pennsylvania, supplemental food appeared to influence movements more so than it did winter survival, but in Wisconsin there was evidence that bird feeders influenced actual survival rates (Egan and Brittingham 1994).

In southwestern Alberta, territory size averaged about 8-9 ha, overlapped with territories of mountain chickadee (Hill and Lein 1989).

In cold winter weather, black-capped chickadees may undergo regulated hypothermia, which saves them significant amounts of energy. They also store food and may roose communally in tree cavities, thus minimizing heat loss.

Black-capped chickadees are well known for their distinctive calls which sound like "chick-a-dee-dee-dee." This is not the only sound they make, however, as adults can produce 16 different calls. Young chickadees can produce 3 types of calls which are used for begging for food or if they are in distress. Males use a two-note "fee-bee" call to establish territory and attract mates. Chickadees also make an angry "gargle" call when intruders enter their territory.

Black-capped chickadees also communicate through body postures or movements. These body postures are known to convey aggression or appeasement. Aggressive behaviors include ruffling the body or crown feathers, hopping and pivoting behavior between two individuals, or an open-mouthed advance by one chickadee on another. Subordinate individuals will often try to appease an approaching dominant individual by holding their feathers tightly to their bodies while leaning and facing away from the dominant bird. Male and female black-capped chickadees perform a distraction display where a bird will flare it's tail feathers and wings to lure predators away from the nest.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

There has been little formal study regarding the lifespan of black-capped chickadees. It is estimated that they live an average of 2.5 years with the oldest on record being 12.5 years old.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 12.5 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 2.5 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 149 months.

Black-capped chickadees have been recorded living up to 11 years and 2 months in the wild.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 149 months.

Maximum longevity: 12.4 years (wild) Observations: In the wild, the average longevity is 2.5 years. Record longevity in the wild is 12.4 years (http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/).

Black-capped chickadees form pairs of one male and one female. They stay with each other to mate and raise chicks, but they may find different partners from year to year. Pairs are formed during the fall migration. Males show interest in females by chasing them in flight. Males will select females of equal rank so that the highest ranking male will mate with the highest ranking female.

Mating System: monogamous

Both males and females participate in excavating a nest in a dead tree or rotting stump. Black-capped chickadees prefer a nesting tree if the inner wood is soft, but the outer wood is sturdy. Pairs will often excavate several nest cavities before the female selects one to begin building a nest in. The cavity is lined with moss, feathers, wood shavings, and animal hair. Nest cavities are rarely re-used in later years. The breeding season begins in early spring, and the eggs are laid between April and early July. The female begins laying eggs 1 to 2 days after completing the nest, with a typical clutch consisting of 6 to 8 eggs. Females are the only incubators and this incubation period lasts 12 to 13 days. While the female stays in the nest and warms the eggs, the male brings food for her. The young are altricial at birth, meaning they have only a few feathers and their eyes are closed. They depend on their parents for food and warmth. The chicks are very small and only weigh 1 g when they hatch. The chicks are fed and kept warm until they fledge (able to fly and leave the nest) at 14 to 18 days old. The parents and fledgelings then leave the nest site, but travel in a group and the parents continue to feed the young until they reach independence at 5 to 6 weeks of age.

Breeding interval: Black-capped chickadees breed once yearly.

Breeding season: Black-capped chickadees breed from April to early August.

Range eggs per season: 5 to 10.

Average eggs per season: 6 to 8.

Range time to hatching: 12 to 13 days.

Range fledging age: 14 to 18 days.

Range time to independence: 5 to 6 weeks.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)

Average eggs per season: 7.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 180 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 180 days.

In black-capped chickadees, both males and females participate in excavating a cavity nest. They will excavate several cavities and the female will select one to construct a nest. The female builds the nest alone and fills the cavity with moss, feathers, wood chips and animal fur. During this time, the male will protect the surrounding territory by distracting any predators and leading them away from the nest. The female performs all egg incubation and the male will feed her. Once the chicks have hatched, the male continues his feeding duties and will provide food for the female and the chicks. Black-capped chickadees are born altricial and require significant parental investments to feed and brood the young until they can see, thermoregulate, and feed on their own. The female will leave the nest after the young develop feathers, and she will participate in gathering food for the growing chicks. After chicks have fledged, the family will leave the nest site and travel together until the young reach independence. Both the male and female participate in feeding the young until independence.

Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female)

Pair formation occurs in the fall, with eggs being laid some time between April and early July (depending on the geographic location). The female builds the nest alone, as well as incubating the eggs exclusively. The eggs are left unattended for short periods (about 7 minutes). The male brings food to the female.

Average time to hatching: 12 days.

Average eggs per season: 7.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 180 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 180 days.

Nesting phenology varies geographically. Examples of known egg dates include: late April to mid-June in Illinois; early May to mid-July in Massachusetts; late May to early June in Nova Scotia; mid-April to late June in Oregon; and mid-April to early July in Michigan. Clutch size is 5-10 (usually 6-8). Incubation lasts usually 12-13 days. Young are tended by both parents, fledge 12-16 days after hatching. Initially fledglings are fed by their parents, disperse usually 3-4 weeks after fledging. Pairbond may persist over several years.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 35 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 35
Specimens with Barcodes: 36
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank.   Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen.  Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

While the clearing of forests for agriculture has led to more forest edge, which is favorable to black-capped chickadees, too much cutting can cause lack of natural nest sites. Due to feeders and nestboxes, however, black-capped chickadee populations are stable. Black-capped chickadees perform short-distance migrations and therefore are protected by the United States Migratory Bird Act. Black-capped chickadees are abundant throughout Michigan.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: no special status

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2008
  Least Concern
• 2004
  Least Concern

While the clearing of forests for agriculture has led to more forest edge, which is favorable to black-capped chickadees, too much cutting can cause lack of natural nest sites. Due to feeders and nestboxes, however, the black-capped chickadee has little current threat to its population.

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: no special status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

More info for the term: shrubs

A review of Christmas Bird Count data for the Pacific Northwest showed
that most black-capped chickadee populations have apparently been stable
during the past 40 years. Of 49 locales reporting, 6 showed significant
declines (stations in Alaska, British Columbia, Montana, and Oregon), 5
showed significant increases (British Columbia, California, Montana, and
Washington), and the remaining 38 showed no overall change. It was
speculated that the "significant" increases and decreases may actually
represent anomalous data [4].

Long-term wildlife management should strive for sites with a mosaic of
age structures [28]. In northwestern Connecticut the clearcutting of 60
acres (24.4 ha) of red pine (Pinus resinosa) within a 321 acre (130 ha)
banding plot had no discernible effect on black-capped chickadee
populations in a long-term population study [17].

Forest clearing can increase edge, which is preferred (but not required)
black-capped chickadee habitat. Removal of snags and cull trees with
dead limbs decreases available nest sites for black-capped chickadees
[31,32], although black-capped chickadees are listed as tolerant of
habitat alteration [32].

Stauffer and Best [32] listed the following predicted effects of various
types of habitat alteration on black-capped chickadee populations:

removal of all wood vegetation: elimination
reduce woody vegetation to narrow strips: negative
woody canopy partly removed: no effect
woody canopy partly removed, shrubs and saplings thinned: negative
shrubs and saplings thinned: negative
snags removed: negative

Lack of cottonwood regeneration is detrimental to the long-term
stability of cavity-nesting bird populations [17].

In cold-winter areas, feeders often enhance black-capped chickadee
survival, particularly in disturbed areas where food supplies are
limited [31]. Nest boxes can increase available nest sites where
natural cavities are limited. Nest boxes are not readily used unless
they are half-filled with sawdust, apparently so that the birds have
something to excavate [30].

Black-capped chickadees are only rarely host to the brown-headed cowbird
(Molothrus ater) [31].

Black-capped chickadees are important predators of larch casebearer
larvae and pine sawfly larvae [5].

Management Requirements: See Mitchell (1988) for specifications for the construction and placement of nest boxes.

There are no negative effects of black-capped chickadees on humans.

Black-capped chickadees help control populations of insect species that may be harmful to agriculture and forestry. Many bird watchers enjoy black-capped chickadees as they are comical, active little birds that often visit backyard feeders.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population

Black-capped chickadees help control populations of insect species that may be harmful to agriculture and silviculture.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population