Black-capped Chickadee

Start with these clues

Look for a black cap, pale cheeks and pale edging on the folded wing.

Relative size

Small

Look around

Trees, Shrubs

Region and season

Across much of Canada and the northern US.

Compare carefully

Carolina Chickadee overlaps in appearance; location matters.

A photograph shows one individual and one view. Check several features, the date and a regional guide before settling on an identification.

Read the Audubon species account for fuller range, behavior and identification context.