Black-capped Chickadee
by Nava Thompson
Title
Black-capped Chickadee
Artist
Nava Thompson
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A photo taken by Nava Thompson of a Chicadee in the fall in NW Arkansas.
The Black-capped Chickadee has a black cap and bib with white sides to the face. Its underparts are white with rusty brown on the flanks. Its back is gray and the tail is normally slate-gray. This bird has a short dark bill of 8–9.5 mm (0.31–0.37 in), short rounded wings 63.5–67.5 mm (2.50–2.66 in), a tarsus of 16–17 mm (0.63–0.67 in) and a long tail at 58–63 mm (2.3–2.5 in).[4] Total body length is 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in), wingspan is 16–21 cm (6.3–8.3 in) and body mass is 9–14 g (0.32–0.49 oz).[5] Sexes look alike, but males are slightly larger and longer than females..........Although range can generally be used to separate them, the Black-capped Chickadee is very similar in appearance to the Carolina Chickadee. The Black-capped is larger on average but this cannot be used reliably for identification. The most obvious difference between the two is in the wing feathers. In the Black-capped Chickadee, the wing feathers have white edges that are larger and more conspicuous than those of the Carolina Chickadee. The latter is often mistaken for Black-capped Chickadees with feather dystrophy which sometimes affects the appearance of the primary feathers making them look slimmer, a phenomenon caused by illnesses such as fatty liver disease in malnourished birds. Overall, the Carolina appears slightly paler colored whereas the flanks of the Black-capped can appear to have a trace of off-yellow or rusty coloration. Also, the Black-capped generally has a more "ragged" looking black bib, whereas the bib of the Carolina has a more smooth-edged look. These subtle features are often even more vague in populations around where the Black-capped and Carolina overlap in range (possibly the result of hybrids) and the two cannot always be distinguished as two species. The two species were formerly thought to be easily distinguished by call, but they often learn each other's vocalizations where their ranges overlap (their point of overlap is a narrow band that runs along the east-central United States, with the Black-capped Chickadee to the north). A bird located near the zone of overlap that sings both songs, or sings "odd-sounding" songs, cannot be positively identified solely by voice in the field.[6]
Uploaded
January 28th, 2014
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Viewed 128 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 03/17/2024 at 12:51 AM
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Comments (8)
Diane Porter
This is lovely. Sumptuous colors! I like the golden arrow directing the eye to the bird's head.
Nava Thompson replied:
Diane---thank you very much---and appreciate your thoughts---about the golden arrow.
Rosanne Jordan
I think the Chickadees are the cutest little birds. I have some very friendly ones in my yard. This image is so adorable! f, v
Nava Thompson replied:
Rosanne--they are cute--and I was watching one in the snow this morning. Thank you for the f/v
Debra and Dave Vanderlaan
Wonderful detail Nava Jo! We added our Like! Celebrate life, Debra and Dave
Doug Kreuger
Another Nava Jo Natural! Simply wonderful! Your ability to find, capture and present your subjects in such artistic settings continues to astound. L/ V&F
Nava Thompson replied:
Doug---thank you---I like that phrase--:) I appreciate your thoughts and encouragement. Thanks for l/v/f!