Logo Muuuh Nature and Wildlife Documentaries

MUUUH

Nature Documentaries

Home / Birds /

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, lively songbird known for its distinctive black cap and bib, contrasting with its white cheeks. Commonly found in Montreal's parks throughout the year, this adaptable bird is a familiar sight to both urban dwellers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies - 2023-04-12
Location: Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Date: 2023-04-12
Camera: NIKON Z6
Lens: NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x
Settings: f/14 • 1/1250 • ISO 4500
Focal Length: 400mm
Parc Angrignon - 2023-01-28
Location: Parc Angrignon
Date: 2023-01-28
Camera: NIKON Z6
Lens: NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/800 • ISO 250
Focal Length: 400mm
Boisé des Douze - 2019-04-21
Location: Boisé des Douze
Date: 2019-04-21
Camera: NIKON D500
Lens: 300mm f/4.0
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/1250 • ISO 800
Focal Length: 420mm
Parc Angrignon - 2016-12-11
Location: Parc Angrignon
Date: 2016-12-11
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Settings: f5.6 • 1/640 • ISO 200
Focal Length: 300mm
Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies - 2016-03-22
Location: Parc nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Date: 2016-03-22
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3
Settings: f6.3 • 1/1000 • ISO 720
Focal Length: 600mm
Parc Angrignon - 2016-01-02
Location: Parc Angrignon
Date: 2016-01-02
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3
Settings: f6.0 • 1/250 • ISO 800
Focal Length: 350mm
Parc Angrignon - 2015-04-18
Location: Parc Angrignon
Date: 2015-04-18
Camera: NIKON D7100
Lens: 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6
Settings: f5.6 • 1/200 • ISO 360
Focal Length: 130mm

Common Names

🇨🇦Black-capped Chickadee
🇫🇷Mésange à tête noire
🇩🇪Schwarzkopfmeise
🇲🇽Carbonero cabecinegro, Carbonero de capucha negra

Taxonomy

OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParidae

Characteristics

Length12-15cm
Weight10-14g
Wingspan15–21cm
Clutch Size1-13 eggs
Incubation12-13 days
Fledging12-16 days
Sexual Maturity1 year

Explore More

📖 Wikipedia Page: For more information about this species.

Identification and Whereabouts

They have a black cap extending from the top of the head to the eyes, and a black throat. The rest of the head is white. Their wings are light grey, and their body is yellowish. They are very fast and agile flyers. To capture photos of them in flight, ensure your setup allows for a shutter speed of at least 1/3200s.

The Black-capped Chickadee can be observed year-round in parks in and around the city. Although accustomed to humans and even willing to pick food from your palms, this species typically remains within the park's vegetation.

Location Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Belvédère Outremont x - - x
Champ des Possibles - x - -
Jardin Botanique de Montréal x - - x
Parc Angrignon x - x x
Parc Bernard-Landry - - x -
Parc Michel-Chartrand x - x x
Parc Mont Saint-Bruno x - - -
Parc de la Frayère x - x -
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - x

"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.

All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz

Last updated: 2025-01-08