Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Short Creek Wash, Mohave County

This Black-capped Chickadee was discovered by Paul Lehmann and Barbara Carlson on 27 November 2009 in the Russian olives and cottonwoods on Central Street where it crosses Short Creek in Colorado City.  It was photographed by Bill Grossi on 04 December 2009

Casual fall and winter visitor to extreme northern Arizona with about 10 accepted records.  Probably underreported because it occurs in areas and at times of the year with very little coverage by birders. 

Solid black cap without a white supercillium.  Extensive white edges to secondaries and greater coverts form a white "hockey stick" on the wings.  Beware worn Mountain Chickadees that can have very inconsipicuous white supercilliums. 

04 December 2009, photo by Bill Grossi

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