Chestnut-backed chickadees (Poecile rufescens) and black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are two similar songbird species found in North America. Both are small, active birds with black caps and white cheeks that belong to the chickadee family Paridae. However, there are several key differences between these two species when it comes to appearance, habitat, behavior, diet, and more. Keep reading to learn all about how to distinguish chestnut-backed chickadees from their black-capped cousins!
Appearance
The most obvious visual difference between chestnut-backed and black-capped chickadees is the coloration on their backs and flanks. As their names suggest, chestnut-backed chickadees have reddish-brown backs and sides, while black-capped chickadees have black or gray backs.
Chestnut-backed chickadee
Chestnut-backed chickadees are 5-6 inches in length. In addition to their rich chestnut colored upperparts, they have grayish-white underparts, a black cap and bib, and white cheeks. Their black cap does not extend down over the eyes. Males and females have similar plumage.
Black-capped chickadee
Black-capped chickadees are 4.5-6 inches in length. They are mostly black and white in color. As their name indicates, black-capped chickadees have a glossy black cap and bib that extends down over the eyes. Their underparts are white to light gray. Males and females have similar plumage.
So in summary, if you see a small chickadee with reddish-brown back and flanks, it’s a chestnut-backed. But if it has an all black back, it’s a black-capped chickadee. The black cap over the eyes is also a helpful black-capped giveaway.
Range and Habitat
Chestnut-backed and black-capped chickadees occupy different regions and habitats. Chestnut-backed chickadees are found along the Pacific coast, while black-capped chickadees are widespread across other parts of North America.
Chestnut-backed chickadee range
Chestnut-backed chickadees live along the Pacific coast of North America, from southern Alaska to central California. They are year-round residents throughout their narrow coastal range.
Black-capped chickadee range
Black-capped chickadees have an extensive range across most of North America. They are found from Newfoundland to the Rockies and south to Kansas and the Appalachians. Populations in the northern parts of their range migrate south for winter, while those further south remain year-round residents.
Habitat differences
Another key difference is the habitats these two chickadees prefer:
- Chestnut-backed chickadees inhabit mature coniferous forests, especially coastal old-growth stands of redwoods and Douglas firs.
- Black-capped chickadees use a wider variety of wooded habitats including both deciduous and coniferous forests as well as parks and gardens.
So if you see a chickadee in the redwoods or other Pacific coastal forests, it’s almost certainly a chestnut-backed. But black-capped chickadees use broader habitat types across the interior of the continent.
Behavior
Chestnut-backed and black-capped chickadees display some behavioral differences as well.
Social structure
In winter, both species join mixed flocks with other songbirds like nuthatches and kinglets. But their social structure differs in the breeding season:
- Chestnut-backed chickadees tend to remain in pairs year-round rather than larger groups.
- Black-capped chickadees have more complex social units centering around dominant breeding pairs.
Vocalizations
The chick-a-dee call these birds are named for sounds similar between the two species. But differences occur in their song patterns:
- Chestnut-backed chickadees have a hurried, hoarse fee-bee song.
- Black-capped chickadees have a slower, whistled fee-bee-ee whistle.
So a hurried fee-bee indicates a chestnut-backed, while a whistled fee-bee-ee comes from a black-capped.
Activity levels
Chestnut-backed chickadees are very active and acrobatic, hanging upside down and fluttering as they forage in the canopy. Black-capped chickadees can be active foragers as well, but are bit more likely to move at slower, steadier paces.
Diet
Both chickadee species are omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of plant and animal material. But some subtle dietary differences exist:
Plant foods
- Chestnut-backed chickadees rely more heavily on conifer seeds from firs and redwoods.
- Black-capped chickadees make use of both deciduous and conifer seeds.
Animal prey
- Chestnut-backed chickadees probe bark and glean insects from foliage.
- Black-capped chickadees aerial hawk more, hovering and catching insects in flight.
So chestnut-backed chickadees specialize more in getting seeds and insects from conifer trees, while black-capped chickadees use a wider range of food sources.
Nesting
The nest sites and clutch sizes of these two chickadees also show some variation:
Nest sites
- Chestnut-backed chickadees nest in natural cavities in trees or stumps, 5-40 feet above ground.
- Black-capped chickadees nest in both natural cavities and man-made nest boxes usually less than 15 feet up.
Eggs
- Chestnut-backed chickadees lay 2-10 white eggs with small brown spots.
- Black-capped chickadees lay 5-12 white eggs speckled with brown or lavender spots.
So chestnut-backed chickadees favor higher, natural nest sites, while black-capped readily use nest boxes. Clutch size can vary but tends to be slightly smaller on average in chestnut-backed chickadees.
Conservation Status
The conservation outlook differs between these two chickadees:
- Chestnut-backed chickadees are a species of least concern with stable populations.
- Black-capped chickadees are still widespread and common overall but have declined in some regions, leading to vulnerable ratings in states like Ohio.
Habitat loss is likely playing a role in black-capped chickadee declines in certain areas. Ongoing monitoring and conservation action may be needed to ensure stable populations.
Conclusion
In summary, chestnut-backed and black-capped chickadees can be distinguished by the following key differences:
- Chestnut-backed chickadees have reddish-brown backs while black-capped chickadees have black or gray backs.
- Chestnut-backed chickadees are found along the Pacific Coast and in coniferous forests; black-capped chickadees are widespread across the interior of North America in diverse wooded habitats.
- Chestnut-backed chickadees have a hurried, hoarse fee-bee song compared to the whistled fee-bee-ee of black-capped.
- Chestnut-backed chickadees rely more on conifer seeds; black-capped chickadees use diverse plant and animal foods.
- Chestnut-backed chickadees nest higher in natural cavities; black-capped readily use nest boxes.
- Chestnut-backed chickadee populations are stable while black-capped numbers are declining regionally.
So in brief: look for the rufous back to find the chestnut-backed, and remember the wide range and habitat use of the black-capped. Learning their songs and nesting habits helps distinguish these two active and acrobatic songbirds. Though similar-looking, the differences in appearance, ecology, behavior and conservation status make the chestnut-backed and black-capped chickadees unique in their own right.
References
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee
The Birds of North America Online, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://birdsna.org