Blackcap Bird Facts (Sylvia atricapilla)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Blackcap is a small, sleek warbler with a distinctive appearance. Males have a neat black cap on top of their grey head and neck, contrasting with olive-brown upperparts and pale grey underparts. Their wings are darker grey-brown.

Females are different to males, with a rusty-brown cap, while juveniles lack the cap entirely, showing an overall greyish-brown plumage. Both sexes have a slender black bill and grey legs.

Size

Length

13cm to 15cm

Wingspan

20cm to 23cm

Weight

14g to 20g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Grey Brown

Secondary Colour

Black Buff

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Primary Colour (Female)

Grey Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Buff

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Blackcap can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Blackcap can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Blackcap is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Blackcap is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Blackcap is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Blackcap is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Blackcap is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Blackcap is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Blackcap is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Blackcap is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Blackcap is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Blackcap is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Blackcaps thrive in various wooded habitats, from deciduous and mixed forests to parks and gardens with dense undergrowth. They are widespread across Europe and extend into western Asia and northern Africa.

While traditionally migratory, with most birds wintering in southern Europe and Africa, an increasing number now overwinter in the UK and other parts of northern Europe, especially in urban areas with reliable food sources.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Blackcap. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Austria Belgium Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cape Verde Côte D'Ivoire Croatia Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Finland France Gambia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Iceland Iran Ireland Israel Italy Jordan Kenya Lebanon Liberia Libya Luxembourg Macedonia Malawi Mali Mauritania Morocco Netherlands Niger Nigeria Poland Portugal Senegal Sierra Leone Slovakia Slovenia Somalia Spain Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syria Tanzania The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine Uzbekistan Zambia

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Andorra Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Estonia Faroe Islands Georgia Hungary Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Moldova Montenegro Norway Romania Russia Serbia

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Cyprus Malta South Sudan

Species that pass through the area during migration

Bahrain Iraq Kuwait Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Yemen

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Benin Cameroon Chad Greenland Mongolia Rwanda Seychelles South Africa Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Zimbabwe

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Blackcap demonstrates remarkable agility, with its ability to flit swiftly through foliage and perform hovering manoeuvres whilst foraging. This nimbleness is essential for their insectivorous diet and navigation through dense woodland habitats.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small warbler, the Blackcap's strength is relatively modest. Whilst capable of the physical demands of migration and nest-building, their size limits their overall strength compared to larger avian species.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Blackcaps exhibit exceptional adaptability, having altered their migratory patterns in response to climate change and human activity. Their ability to thrive in various habitats, from forests to urban gardens, and switch between insectivorous and frugivorous diets, showcases their remarkable adaptability.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During breeding season, male Blackcaps display considerable aggression in defending their territories, engaging in vocal battles. However, outside of this period, they are generally not overly aggressive, maintaining a balanced score in this attribute.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Blackcap's endurance is noteworthy, particularly considering their migratory nature. Many undertake long-distance flights between Europe and Africa, demonstrating significant stamina. Their ability to survive in various climates and altitudes up to 1500 metres further supports their robust endurance.

Diet

Blackcaps are primarily insectivorous during the breeding season, feasting on caterpillars, flies, and spiders. In autumn and winter, they switch to a more frugivorous diet, relishing berries and fruits. This dietary flexibility has contributed to their success in adapting to various habitats.

Behaviour

Blackcaps are known for their agile movements, often seen flitting through foliage in search of insects. They exhibit a unique 'hovering' behaviour while foraging, momentarily suspending themselves to pluck berries or insects from leaves.

During the breeding season, males become fiercely territorial, engaging in vocal battles to defend their nesting areas.

Vocalisation

The Blackcap's song is a rich, flute-like warble, often described as one of the most beautiful of any European bird. It typically begins with a series of soft, warbling notes before building to a loud, clear crescendo. Their call is a sharp, repetitive 'tack' or 'chack' sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Blackcap breeding season typically begins in late April or early May. Males establish territories and attract females with melodious songs, often engaging in elaborate courtship displays.

Nests are built low in shrubs or small trees, usually by the female. The nest is a neat cup made of grass, roots, and hair. Females lay 4-6 eggs, pale in colour with brown speckles.

Both parents share incubation duties for about 11-12 days. Nestlings fledge after another 11-12 days, but parents feed them for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Blackcaps face challenges from habitat loss and climate change. Their adaptability to urban gardens has helped maintain populations, but conservation efforts focus on preserving diverse woodland habitats and monitoring migratory patterns affected by changing temperatures.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

101,000,000 - 161,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Listen for their rich, flute-like song, especially in spring and early summer
Look for movement in the middle and upper layers of woodland or garden trees
Observe bird tables in UK gardens during winter, where some Blackcaps now overwinter
Pay attention to the distinctive cap colour to differentiate males from females

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eurasian Blackcap, Northern Nightingale

Family:

Sylviidae

Average Lifespan

5 years

Max Lifespan

13.8 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and corvids such as jays and magpies, which often target eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

Blackcaps can remember the locations of feeders for years, returning to the same gardens each winter.
They are among the few birds that have changed their migratory patterns due to human activities and climate change.
Male Blackcaps can learn to mimic the songs of other bird species, incorporating them into their repertoire.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Sylvia atricapilla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22716901A87681382.
View source
3
report, 2015: EBCC
2
website, 2015: BirdLife International
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4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
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