Chickadee Acrobat

Gallery: AvianPosted December 3, 2013158 views14 comments

I'm often unable to make the distinction between the Carolina & Black-capped chickadee. Older birds can be 'grayer' overall, making it even tougher. So which is it here

F/10, 1/1000th, ISO 500, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + Kenko 2x ext @ 11:34 and mostly sunny.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 3, 2013 at 8:21 AM

Sweet! This just made my morning Howard, wonderful shot!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Peter May on December 3, 2013 at 8:21 AM

Where was this taken, Howard?

Registered on November 1, 2003, 7 Posts, 239 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 3, 2013 at 8:23 AM

Yesterday in Central Texas Peter

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Peter May on December 3, 2013 at 8:31 AM

Black-capped chickadees are extremely rare in Texas, aren't they? Do they occur there at all? eBird and Patuxent's BBS data don't show any records of black-cappeds anywhere in Texas. I'd bet this is a Carolina

Registered on November 1, 2003, 7 Posts, 239 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 3, 2013 at 8:59 AM

Black-capped and Carolina Chickadee meet and hybridize though, making the distinction harder..
The BC is overall brighter and has a more contrasting appearance, with whiter neck-sides, darker tertials, whiter secondary edges, brighter flanks, and slightly greener back. It is also slightly larger, with larger and fluffier head.
Anyway, just wanted some input on this particular bird..
Thanx Peter

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 3, 2013 at 9:28 AM

I wouldn't venture a call on species, Howard. Our black-capped have considerably more buff on the flanks, but that could be a regional variation. I've never seen one this gray. Sweet image. The pose is great.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 3, 2013 at 9:52 AM

Fun pose, Howard and I like the curved perch even as soft as it is.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 3, 2013 at 10:49 AM

As Peter says, Carolina is the expected species in Texas, and a Black-capped would be extraordinary and require solid documentation. Just check the range maps in good field guides to see this.

I was an active birder ion central NJ for over 20 years, living right on the boundary between Carolina and Black-capped. I never saw a bird I cindered a hybrid, although one person I knew claimed to hear one species giving the call of the other.

Here's a photo quiz put together by friends of mine who run a banding station in NJ they gets both species.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 3, 2013 at 11:59 AM

The photo quiz link's excellent, very good at pointing out the subtle differences Rich.
I still barely passed

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 3, 2013 at 2:52 PM

It's unique capture, which-ever species it turns out to be. Great pose and nice detail.

Sweet One Howard!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 3, 2013 at 11:12 PM

Love the comp on this one Howard

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 4, 2013 at 12:21 AM

Another fine shot Howard. I really like the unusual upside down pose. Sorry I can't be much help on the ID. Are you sure it's not some kind of bat?

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 5, 2013 at 10:16 PM

Lovely pose on this common species

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on December 6, 2013 at 11:39 AM

Can't help with the ID Howard but I do like your image great to capture that pose.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments