Boreal Chickadee Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBoreal Chickadee
Tiny, big-headed songbird with a round belly and a short bill. Distinguished by its brown cap, gray collar, small white cheek patch, and cinnamon flanks.
© Iris Kilpatrick / Macaulay LibraryAlberta, October 24, 2019Brownish gray overall with a brown crown, a small white cheek patch, and cinnamon flanks.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, January 18, 2019The "chick-a-dee" call is buzzier and slower than the call of the Black-capped Chickadee.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 21, 2007Not all videos have sound
Dainty with a small bill. Unlike other chickadees, it has a brown crown and a gray nape with a small cheek patch.
© bellemare celine / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 18, 2019Acrobatic forager that stores seeds and insects for the winter months. Note brown cap, gray collar, and small white cheek patch.
© Laura Keene / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, January 23, 2016Found in boreal forests with young and old evergreen trees, especially spruce.
© Epi Shemming / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, May 28, 2017Similar SpeciesBlack-capped Chickadee
Adult
Black-capped Chickadees have a black cap and a more extensive white cheek patch compared the Boreal Chickadee's brown crown and small white cheek patch.
© Scott Martin / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 03, 2017Similar SpeciesMountain Chickadee
Adult
Mountain Chickadees have a white eyebrow stripe that Boreal Chickadees do not have. They also have a larger white cheek patch than Boreal Chickadees.
© Craig Johnson / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, May 20, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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