Black cap chickadee

Birds can fly, but they also perch, run, swim and more. Walk this way and learn why bird feet and toes are as important as wings and feathers.

A bird almost universally considered “cute” thanks to its oversized round head, tiny body, and curiosity about everything, including humans. The chickadee’s black cap and bib; white cheeks; gray back, wings, and tail; and whitish underside with buffy sides are distinctive. Its habit of investigating people and everything else in its home territory, and quickness to discover bird feeders, make it one of the first birds most people learn.

A black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a very tiny bird. Close views like the one above give the avian a somewhat larger feel. The close crop is due to the extreme nearness of the bird. Also, to the right of the bird's rump is a strongly out-of-focus chestnut-backed chickadee.

Black-capped Chickadee

A Black - capped chickadee looks out from a bush.

Black Cap Chickadee

Learn these seven species and you'll never go dateless again.

© Brian E Kushner Nikon D800, Nikon 300 F/4, Nikon TC-14E II