Black-capped Chickadees are the the most common non-migratory species found at Creamer’s Field. They are widely distributed birds, living year-round in most of northern North America. They are small, rounded, and very inquisitive. They won’t shy away from backyard bird feeders. You can also see Black-capped Chickadees in wooded areas and places with heavy shrubbery.

Due to their curiosity, Black-capped chickadees are very familiar birds. This makes them easy to identify. They have gray backs and buffy undersides. They have black heads and white cheeks, giving them the appearance of having a black cap. Their wings are gray with white edgings.

We have captured over 5,000 Black-capped Chickadees at Creamer’s Field Migration Station since 1992. As year-round residents, we frequently recapture the same individuals, sometimes year after year. One individual chickadee had been caught at our station 48 times from 2000 to 2007!