Black-capped Chickadee is a very small bird with a large head. He has a busy habit of darting everywhere. Sometimes it appears to not know what direction to go. But this behavior seems to help it to catch insects while in flight. It does not mind company when it flies. In fact the Black-capped Chickadee prefers flying with a flock of any number and kinds of other birds.

With your binoculars take some time and look for general markings and characteristics, things that you might notice right off. Do not spend a lot of time trying to memorize different aspects of the Black-capped Chickadee. Just look for general information and then you will be able to quickly recognize what group these birds belong to by noticing size, general shape, colors and their behavior.

I suggest that you keep a note book of these characteristics. You can add to it from time to time. This will help you understand and learn. But be patient and note things only one at a time. Otherwise you may get tired and discouraged because you can’t remember everything at once. It will all come in time as you watch these birds. Also take a look at the field marks such as a wingbar and eyering markings to tie some IDs down.

Please remember also to note what time of year you see them as well as other kinds of birds you see in your neighborhood. Then you will be able to keep track of them better next year when the return.

A good field book on birds will help, but do not try to memorize everything in it all at once. Just learn about your specific bird of interest.

Black-capped Chickadee

Size & Shape

A real tiny bird with large head, plump, almost fat body, narrow tail, and a very short bill

Color Pattern

It has a beautiful shiny black cap and throat against white cheeks. Puffy sides; wings and back of soft gray coloring

Behavior

Very busy, with acrobatic flight, and often with feeding flocks of several species

Habitat

Likes forests, woodlots, backyards, and shrubby areas; in the West, associated with deciduous trees