Blackcap (13–15cm, 5–6in)

The Blackcap is an eye-catching bird with a slender, elongated form and distinctive plumage. Traditionally, Blackcaps are summer migrants, breeding throughout Europe. However, they have increasingly become common winter visitors, especially in milder regions of Britain and the warmer areas of southern Europe.

Once the trees are in full leaf, Blackcaps can be elusive, but their presence is often betrayed by their rich, melodious song, filled with strong phrases and occasional mimicry. The plumage of both male and female Blackcaps is unmistakable, and their sleek, elongated bodies, coupled with their unique song, make them easily identifiable regardless of the viewing conditions.

Female Blackcaps are distinguished from their male counterparts by their rich russet-brown cap, which contrasts with the male's black cap. Additionally, females exhibit a browner tint on their upperparts and wings, along with a greyish-brown wash on their underparts. Despite these differences in plumage, their bare parts remain similar to the males, featuring dark silvery-grey legs and feet.

The male Blackcap is a striking bird, unmistakable among its peers. Its glossy jet-black cap contrasts sharply with its silvery cheeks and nape, creating a distinctive look. The upperparts are uniformly silvery-grey, darkening slightly towards the tip of the tail. The wings transition from grey at the shoulders to dark brown on the primaries, while the underparts are primarily whitish, with a greyish wash on the breast and flanks. Completing its elegant appearance, the male Blackcap features a relatively long, thin dark grey bill, a prominent black eye with a white orbital ring, and dark silvery-grey legs and feet.

Blackcaps are not known for singing from treetops; instead, they prefer to make their presence known from within the cover of hedges or tall vegetation. Their song, a rich and melodious blend of warbles and mimicry, is similar to that of the Garden Warbler, though the Garden Warbler typically has a longer song.

A young male Blackcap can be recognized by its softer-colored underparts and brownish-washed upperparts. Most notably, its dark cap displays a mix of black and brown feathers, distinguishing it from the more uniform cap of an adult male.