Chickadee in Indiana, US (1 Viewer)

[orientaldkf]

Hi all, these were taken from West Lafayette in Indiana. All the records in the area are of Carolina Chickadees but this area seems to near the hybrid zone of the two chickadees and this bird seems to have a little of both chickadees' features. Could it be a Black-capped Chickadee? Appreciate any help and thanks in advance.

 

[tom baxter]

Picture 1 and 3 look like different birds to me. 1 looks like it has more extensive white on the primaries and a larger bill. Bird 2 shows no reliable features for separating the two species. Bird 3 looks like a candidate for black-capped chickadee but I don’t think you can really be sure from photos. I probably would not call 3 a carolina but hybrid is on the table.

 

[birdmeister]

Picture 1 and 3 look like different birds to me. 1 looks like it has more extensive white on the primaries and a larger bill. Bird 2 shows no reliable features for separating the two species. Bird 3 looks like a candidate for black-capped chickadee but I don’t think you can really be sure from photos. I probably would not call 3 a carolina but hybrid is on the table.

I agree mostly, with none of the images being a clear-cut candidate for either one.

 

[orientaldkf]

Thanks for the input guys! Does seem like they might be hybrids.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I'd go with hybrids.

I live in the hybrid zone, and can tell you, when you see a good black-cap, you know it. The white "hockey-stick" is really well defined, the orange on the flanks is very strong, and the edge of the bib is a lot more ragged than this.