Female Black-capped Chickadees (Male vs Female Identification)

You’re probably familiar with these acrobatic little songbirds, hopping and writhing among the branches of conifer trees in forests, parks, or even backyards. But how do we tell the difference between male and female black-capped tits?

Our guide to female black-capped tits explores the differences in appearance, behavior, and nesting, so read on if you’re interested in learning more.

Female black tits have the same black crown, black bib feathers as males. Visually distinguishing the sexes is impossible, so observation of behavior, especially courtship rituals and nesting roles, is required to make an accurate identification.

Some research suggests that males may be slightly larger than females, or that the distinctive black ruff markings of male black-capped tits may be larger than females, but this study was inconclusive.

Most sources agree that the only way to tell males and females apart is by studying their behavior and interactions with other birds of the same species. Nesting and courtship are two specialized areas, although our guides will also focus on calling and vocalization.

If you want to master the art of successfully differentiating male and female black-capped tits, then our guide will help you do just that!

There is no visual method to distinguish male and female black-capped tits

How to tell if a black-headed tit is male or female?

Male and female titmouses do not differ visually in plumage or body size, so to determine the sex of birds of this species we rely on observations of behavior and activities, such as calls and calls, as well as in nesting and rearing young. effect.

What does a female black-crowned tit look like?

Female black-capped tits are small and agile and come in black, gray, white, and buff. As the name suggests, their heads are black and match the black bib under their mouths, which are short and black.

Their wings are rounded and relatively short compared to their tail and body.

The female titmouse has white sides of the face, a light greenish-gray back and wings, and a darker slate gray tail. The lower body is light yellow, and the sides are rusty brown.

A breeding pair of black-capped tits – note the exact same plumage

Are female black-capped tits bigger than males?

It has been suggested that male black tits are slightly larger than females, but there is insufficient evidence to conclude that this is the case for all birds of the species.

Typical measurements for this species are a body length of 12 to 15 cm (4.7 to 5.9 in), a wingspan of 16 to 21 cm (6.3 to 8.3 in), and a body weight ranging from 9 to 14 g (0.32 to 0.49 oz).

Close up of a black capped tit perched on a log

behavioral difference

Since male and female black-capped tits are visually indistinguishable, observing their behavior is often the only conclusive way to tell their sex.

Black-capped tits are gregarious birds that form flocks outside of the breeding season, and they belong to a hierarchy of dominant and non-dominant birds. Females tend to be attracted to stronger males because their social status will give them better access to food supplies and larger territories.

During courtship, females are chased by interested males. Pairs form in early winter, well before the breeding season begins, and the females choose a mate to protect them from other males and females at feeding sites.

This in turn ensures that females are in top condition to produce healthy offspring when the breeding season finally begins.

Hierarchy in pairings is also evident, with the male dominating ahead of his mate, with the male feeding first while the female waits her turn.

Female black-capped tits have been observed to be less aggressive than males. Females do fight and will fight off any intrusion into their territory, but are generally more timid.

Male and female black-capped tit perched on a branch

sing and call

A particular call of the black-capped tit is produced almost entirely by the male: called the fee bee call, or “hey dear’ song, the two- or three-note whistle that is primarily used by males to attract mates.

During nest feeding, mates may exchange softer, lower-pitched versions.

During the breeding season, females can be heard making distinctive screeching calls immediately before laying eggs.

When their nest is threatened, females will hiss loudly, sometimes referred to as the “snake show” from within the nest when protecting young.

The loud, harsh sound mimics the hiss of a snake and is designed to deter predators from entering the nest.

Perched black-capped tit singing in spring

nesting and feeding

During courtship, the female begs loudly for food, and the male brings grubs and other insects. This display of being a strong provider reassures the female that the male will make a good mate.

Nest site selection is thought to be female-dominated, although once a tree has been identified, males and females work together to dig nests in limp or decaying trunks. The pair hollowed out a room, with both birds involved in the intricate work of removing wood chips from the site until a sufficiently large cavity was created.

Once the cavity is complete, the female takes over to prepare the inner chamber, building a nest of bark and moss with rounded, softer grass, animal fur and feathers, in which the eggs will be laid.

Incubation is the sole job of the female titmouse, who carries food in the nest during incubation and subsequent brooding duties.

Once the chicks are about 8 days old, the females begin to leave the nest for longer periods of time to forage for themselves and their offspring.

By about 16 days, the chicks are ready to fling their wings and are supported outside the nest with the help of both parents, who continue to bring food for a week or so.

Male and female tits work together to dig a nest

Can a female black-capped tit raise her offspring alone?

Although female chickadees are the only incubators of their eggs during nesting, they depend on the males to bring food to them—and later their young.

Because of this division of responsibilities, it is unlikely that a female will be successful in hatching eggs and raising young alone, if she also needs to find food to bring back to the nest, since it will need to be away from her young.

What color is a female black-headed tit?

The female black-headed tit has a black head and bib and white cheeks. Their backs are a light greenish gray which darkens towards the tail to be more of a charcoal gray. Their underparts are pale yellow with a small patch of rusty brown feathers on the sides.

Black-capped tit resting before eating sunflower seeds

Can a female black-headed tit call?

Women don’t make equally loud voices’fee bee‘ call associated with the territorial male black-capped tit. Still, females who nest nearby may make similar, quieter calls, especially when males bring food. Females also make shrill calls before laying eggs.

Can female black-headed tits sing?

Often female titmouse can be heard singing “chick’ songs they have named after them, especially in the fall and winter.

The song, sung by both males and females of the species, is a versatile song used to communicate danger, the abatement of a threat, an alert to a new food source, or a call when separated from the flock.