The RSPB: Blackcap

Conservation status: Green

A distinctive greyish warbler, the male has a black cap, and the female a chestnut one. Its delightful fluting song has earned it the name 'northern nightingale'. Although primarily a summer visitor birds from Germany and north-east Europe are increasingly spending the winter in the UK.

Overview

Latin name

Sylvia atricapilla

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Where to see them

Best looked for in woodland, parks and gardens with plenty of trees and shrubs. In winter will readily come into gardens.

When to see them

Breeding birds arrive in April and May, leaving in September and October. Some European birds winter in the UK, largely in England.

What they eat

Insects and berries.

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	932,000 territories	3,000 birds	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.