The blackcap is 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.
Insects and berries.
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Blackcap are best looked for in woodland, parks and gardens with plenty of trees and shrubs. In winter will readily come into gardens.
Breeding birds arrive in April and May, leaving in September and October. Some European birds winter in the UK, largely in England.
A male blackcap perched on a branch, singing.
A male blackcap perched on a branch, singing.
Within your lifetime, species such as song thrushes, cuckoos and even hedgehogs could die out altogether. As the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, the RSPB use your donations to restore habitats, protect species and save nature. Give a little today and make a big difference tomorrow. Thank you.
