Birding Archives

Distinguishing Black-capped Chickadee from Carolina Chickadee is a well-known identification challenge for birders in eastern North America, especially in the zone of contact between the species. According to "conventional wisdom," differences in call and especially song are important in separating the two species. However, recent observations by Brian Taber and colleagues at the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory indicate that Carolina Chickadees far from the contact zone may sing songs resembling Black-capped. Click here to listen to a presumed Carolina Chickadee in southeastern Virginia calling like a Black-capped.