Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a member of the Paridae family found in North America. Adults weigh 10.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Paridae Tits, Chickadees
- Genus Poecile
- Species atricapillus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 10.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Paridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Male vs female
Sexes look alike in the field; males average a slightly larger black bib and brighter, higher-contrast white/grey, but the difference is not reliably visible without measurement.
Juvenile appearance
Like adults but with a slightly duller cap and softer, fluffier, looser plumage.
Similar birds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-capped Chickadee is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black-capped Chickadee is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a member of the Paridae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA n.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 10.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.4 cm and a tail of around 6.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-capped Chickadee?
The Black-capped Chickadee is a very small bird that weighs around 10.8 g.
Where does the Black-capped Chickadee live?
The Black-capped Chickadee is found across North America with a range covering NA n, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black-capped Chickadee belong to?
The Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) belongs to the Paridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black-capped Chickadee eat?
The Black-capped Chickadee is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Black-capped Chickadee migrate?
The Black-capped Chickadee is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-capped Chickadee endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black-capped Chickadee make?
1 real field recording of the Black-capped Chickadee — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-capped Chickadee's range?
The Black-capped Chickadee has a mapped global range of about 9.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
How to Attract Black-capped Chickadee to Your Yard
The honest, data-backed way to attract Black-capped Chickadee to your yard — the feeders and food they actually use (black-oil sunflower), nesting help, and habitat that brings them in.
Black-capped Chickadee vs Carolina Chickadee: How to Tell Them Apart
How to tell a Black-capped Chickadee from a Carolina Chickadee — size, range, family and status compared side by side, with links to each bird’s full ID guide.