Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Blackcaps are a common typical warbler (Sylvia) on the rise in the UK, having experience an uncommon shift in migratory behaviour over the past 25 years. They are a lively species, with an air of elegance, expressing a plumage of simple muted colour. Observe a Blackcap in your garden, and note its chunky appearance. It is about the same size as a Chaffinch. Furthermore, it has been noticed that Blackcaps are lovers of towns and cities, very bossy and can be quite aggressive with other birds when feeding in the garden.
Both sexes are predominantly grey in colour, yet can be distinguished by the colour of their caps: males are easily identified by their striking black caps, while females are differentiated by their somewhat more muted chestnut brown caps. According BTO research, more males than females migrate to the UK over winter in a bid to establish their breeding grounds prior to spring the following year. However, asked whether or not there was a bias towards male Blackcaps, most respondents mentioned they saw no more than a single Blackcap in their gardens, so no statistically significant evidence was provided for any gender bias.
In the UK, Blackcaps are common birds, classified as Green Status by the RSPB. There are approximately 1,200,000 breeding pairs in the UK.
Blackcap diet
BTO chart of Blackcap dietary habits. See more.
Blackcaps are avid eaters of mistletoe berries, the circular, creamy-white berries that are common at the end of autumn and throughout winter. This favoured food has led to an interesting outcome: the spread of mistletoe throughout the UK. How so? When Blackcaps eat these berries, the seeds get separated from the fruit. The consequence, of course, is the rapid spread of seeds, and ultimately the proliferation of mistletoe.
In the garden, Blackcaps take to a variety of different foods; in a study conducted by the BTO, consisting of 2,854 responses (see chart above), there is a clear attraction for fat-based foods such as suet fats (suet cakes, fat balls), sunflower seeds as well as a variety of seed mixes. What is interesting is that the recent uptake of feeders in the garden seems to have had a startling impact on the migratory behaviour of Blackcaps.
It is understood that Blackcaps often see off other birds at the feeder with their aggressive manner, fending off the usual “top dogs” such as Robins. This overly enthusiastic method of defending the feeders could be related to the critical nature of their requirement for food over winter i.e. they will fight with greater verve because this food is of such critical importance to them.
Where to spot a Blackcap?
Blackcaps can be found in most places in the UK, although they are not generally observed in extreme northern areas of Scotland, including the islands, as well as the west coast of northern Ireland. In certain areas, such as central-coastal Wales, and the west of Scotland, they are just summer visitors. They prefer to stay in parks and gardens, do enjoy the comfort of towns and cities, and can be seen frequenting gardens across the country, especially over winter.
Blackcap song
The Blackcap is a renowned songster, famous for its warm, musical fluting notes; so much so, in fact, that it is often called the “northern nightingale” or “lesser nightingale” because of its attractive song. This song, which can last up to around two-and-a-half minutes, is given in bursts of thirty seconds, and terminates in a crescendo at the end of each burst.
According to Wikipedia, “Male blackcaps will sometimes sing even when incubating, especially with the second brood. This appears to be intended to maintain the bond with the female.”
How has the migratory behaviour of Blackcaps changed?
Blackcaps have, as of late, spent more time in the UK over the winter months. They come primarily from Germany and north-east Europe. Having traditionally been summer visitors, and ultimately moving on to North Africa for the winter, a recent trend has seen German Blackcaps reside in England over the winter months, with the west of England receiving larger numbers of Blackcaps than any other part of the country. It makes ecological sense; there is a simple, short distance to travel from Germany to England, and the milder winters are relatively easy for Blackcaps to contend with. The increase of wild bird feeders has been acknowledged as having a direct influence on the Blackcaps’ “decision” to stay in the UK over winter.
A clear survival benefit has been noticed as a consequence of this change in migratory habit: Blackcaps that migrate just to the UK yield a greater number of eggs than those that migrate further south towards the Mediterranean and North Africa.
“Over the past 25 years, the Blackcap has experienced a profound migratory change.”
Blackcaps and culture: Storia di una capinera
The Blackcap has been the source of inspiration for a number of literary creations, most notably Giovanni Verga’s 1871 novel, Storia di una capinera, was influenced by the story of a Blackcap that was caged by children.
Having lost its freedom, the bird eventually dies. In the book, a nun diagnosed with cholera had to leave her convent, after which she subsequently fell in love with a family friend. Despite this, and on recovery from Cholera, she had to return to the convent, thus losing her freedom.
What is the difference between male and female Blackcaps?
Distinguishing male and female Blackcaps is quite straightforward: those with distinctly black caps are males, those with chestnut brown caps are females.
Female Blackcap
Male Blackcap
I noticed a male and female blackcap in my garden late autum, feeding on the berries. This was 2015!
Although I watch the many birds in the garden, I have not seen the blackcap since.
South Yorkshire.
Thanks for the information on the Blackcap. I have wondered what this bird was visiting my feeders on rare occassions.
Last winter we had two male and at least one female Blackcap feeding from our bird table multiple times daily. I haven’t seen them since February but hopefully they will return to visit us later this year,
Hi Ann,
Thanks for sharing. You may just have one or two German Blackcaps in your garden. It will be interesting to know if they visit you again over winter.
GardenBird
Hi There
I currently have a female living in my Jasmine tree and feeding on the berries on my palm tree. I wondered what type of bird it was and then low and behold I found it here! It sometimes eats from the feed seeder and considering I have 3 suets hanging near there too, I haven’t seen it try it yet. Thanks for your informative articles!
Hello, today I have noticed a male blackcap visit the garden and feed from the coconut suet feeder twice. Never spotted him before, so was very excited. (I live in North Yorkshire near Selby).
Angela Lynne Blore March 19th 2018 at 14.20pm
I have 2 male Blackcaps feeding on my bird table. This is the first year that there have been 2 at once. I have the single male over the last few years and have in the past seen a female.
March 2018 I have just seen a female black cap feeding on the suet feeder, never seen one before.
We seem to have a resident male blackcap which has been around for some werks now. It spends quite a bit of time feeding on the fat balls hanging in the tree nearest the house so it has been really easy to enjoy its visits. Not noticed one here before and am keeping an eye open for a female.
Just had the pleasure of seeing a Black Cap, what a sweet bird, have never seen one before, and he was having a meal of red berries, lovely.his grey plumage was puffed up in the cold.
I have just seen a female blackcap in our bird bath just under kitchen window, previously my husband has seen the male blackcap the woodland end of the garden. We live in the GU25 post code.
Hi All I’ve just spotted a mail black cap in my garden today in Coulsdon Surrey
Very interesting. My first sighting Jan 2020 hoping to hear it sing soon
Pair of blackcaps (M & F) seen in the garden this morning in Croscombe BA5
Saw a female Blackcap in park lane (Reigate) earlier today.
We have a female blackcap that has been visiting garden regularly and using feeders (fat balls and sunflower hearts) for a few weeks now – but today there were three, and all female. Is that odd to have a group of females together? We have seen no males this year.
Have noticed a male blackcap in my garden today. January & a wet windy day. He seems to like the suet based food & appears to be guarding it. He’s sitting in the hedge (next to the suet) & hasn’t moved, apart from feeding. Wish I provide some more shelter for him.
We have a male that always goes into one of our squirrel proof feeders that we fill with Wilko ‘Premium Blend 10 ultimate fat balls’ that have lots of sunflower seeds and nuts in. Only noticed it about 6 days ago as quite a few trees and bushes around so will try and watch for more. BN12 area
I have a male blackcap in my garden in Fetcham Surrey. It sits for ages eating sunflower seeds. It is back and forwards to feeder all day long .Had a female last year
Been watching a male blackcap at one of my feeders (mealworm suet). First year I have seen one here in North Cornwall.No sign of female but will keep watching.
Female blackcap drinking from the birdbath today so we got a chance to identify her properly after she’d been hopping in and out of our laurel hedge for the last couple of days in North Cheshire. Have had an occasional male or female in the past but not for several years so it’s been lovely to see this today.
Just seen and photographed a male blackcap in copper beech tree. GU10 postcode.
Last week I saw a bird with rust coloured cap having a bath in my garden, I looked it up on internet and identified it as a female blackcap, this morning I spotted it again having a bath and it was quickly joined by another with a black cap, looks like I have a pair
There is a male black cap in a cherry tree at the rear of my house feasting on berries. He’s been there most days for about a week. July 2020. He has a beautiful song.
Just found one sitting on the ground, having had an argument with our window. Sat him on the feeder. Flown away now so all okay.
I saw a black cap in my garden in NW London today. I have never seen one before anywhere.
I’ve been trying to identify the new bossy bird in my garden for a few days now and can confirm now that it’s a female blackcap! I’ve never seen one before (and still haven’t seen a male) but am delighted to now know what it is! Dublin, Ireland December 2020
I have black cap just started visiting in Buckinghamshire, never seem one before. Happy to graze among suet pellets until disturbed by another visitor
Thank goodness for the internet!! The new visitor to our garden feeders is a female blackcap! We’ve been through our comprehensive bird book but couldn’t find anything like the bird we spotted but we found it here. Makes sense as we’ve been getting the males for some time – didn’t know the females were a different colour! Thanks.
I have two male blackcaps in my garden , didn’t know what they were until I read this, thanks for all the information . I am in north Lanarkshire, Scotland
Male and female blackcap feeding on sunflower hearts for the past fortnight. Weybridge. Surrey
First time I have seen Male Black Cap eating fat balls, he seems to be quite regular now.
First site was January 3 2021.
Site is Terrington St. Clement Norfolk .
Male Blackcap feeding in my garden on the fatball feeder. He is a regular visitor. Nottingham.
Female black cap been regular visitor to garden this January. Haven’t seen male. Eating sunflower seeds from feeder and on ground. Southside of Glasgow.
Hi Pamela
I have two males and one female blackcap now regular visitors..west end of Glasgow. The first arrived early January. I often see the male and female feeding together on the fat balls. Fortunately I have two feeders with fatballs and suet pellets. They’ll see off anyone!
We have had a male black cap visiting our garden for the last couple of days….today we have noticed a female…really joyful to see…they have been feeding on fatballs and general birdseed…we live in Anglesey
2 Male and 1 female frequent the garden every day, 1 male seems to live in the garden as it never leaves and has been here since beginning of December, it is not a dominant black cap and mainly feeds on the fat balls and sunflower hearts, we live in Herefordshire.
A male blackcap has virtually taken up residence in my garden this winter. He goes from feeder to feeder – I have a lot, enjoying sunflower hearts, not seen him on the fat feeders. Why doesn’t he ever bring his partner along, or a friend? Caversham, Reading.
First time ever (in years of bird watching) spotted a female blackcap in my garden (Cambridge) feel quite sad bless her! I feed the birds everyday so she is hanging around. Am hoping a male arrives but as I’ve never seen one before …….. :-(
Just watched male blackcap at the bird table in Dundee, Scotland. First time he’s visited, and had no idea what he was until I read this article.
Male black cap enjoying cranberry-flavoured suet balls with mealworms in our garden today. Swansea, south Wales.
I have a male black cap at my bird feeders – boy – he doesn’t like to share… he sits on a branch between the two feeders and chases off every other bird that comes close. This behaviour has only started in the last few days probably brought on by the foot of snow we’ve had. Today I’m going to hang a couple more feeders in other parts of the garden to give the other birds a chance! I live near Dundee. I saw a female blackcap a couple of weeks ago – but not more recently..
Male blackcap visiting my garden in Newtownabbey Co. Antrim.
I’ve had a new bossy bird around my feeders. Took a while to find out she’s a female black cap. She’s eating fat balls, sunflower hearts and the apple I put out for the blackbirds. I see her throughout the day. She’s not impressed with my robin! Blackpool.
I was thrilled to see my first pair of male and female Blackcaps visiting my South EastLondon garden through January to beginning of February up until the snowy spell. Sadly, I haven’t seen them since, hoping very much they survived the cold and will come back soon!
Saw a female blackcap in my garden today. It was eating Ivy berries
I have had a male black cap here most of the winter, taken up residence near my bird feeders. Now sees off other birds – bossy.
This morning a female blackcap was here, first time I’ve seen her – also bossy. I wonder if they are a pair and will breed?
Caversham, Reading.
Just seen a male Blackcap for the first time ever. He was enjoying a drink from the birdbath in our back garden in Lincoln.
Just see a male black cap in my garden in Slough.
17april 2022 found a dead male blackcap this morning, it had collided with a neighbor’s window . Very sad as this is the first one l have seen