Nature on Your Doorstep Community

A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.

Sign In or Register to join the conversation

Anyone get blackcap and red cap in their garden?

I've just been out today to change birds water and put fat balls out and meal worms a feast lol and straight away black cap in the feast there funny birds with their cap, can't believe female birds have red cap on their head.

1 2
  • The female Blackcaps head is more brown than red, Deb. Good you have them too. We get a pair each Winter, the rest of the year none.

    I tried to post a pic here, but it wouldn't work.

    Best wishes

    Val.

  • Val is quite right. The crown of a female Blackcap is a tan colour rather than red.

    The male's crown is all black.

    The Blackcaps that we see in our gardens in winter are migrants from central Europe. This westward migration is believed to be as a result of garden feeding. Just because you've got a male and female they are unlikely to be a pair. In fact they can sometimes be quite aggressive to each other (and other birds) as they compete for food.. Nice to see though.

    This winter I've only had one brief visit from a male. If the weather turns colder I'm hoping I shall see them again.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • If I could post my pic you'd see they were getting on ok, both together on the bird table. Nice photo's of both sexes.

    How did you post those, Teejay?

    Best wishes

    Val.

  • Hi Val, yes it's a bit tricky posting photos. First of all click on  Settings (in the black bar at the top of any page) and then the Advanced Options tab and make sure Content Editor is set to Enhanced.

    Then follow instructions in this link.

    www.rspb.org.uk/.../108794.aspx

    Good luck.

    I'm not saying all Blackcaps behave in this way but they can get pretty feisty at times.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • Thanks Tony, I'll try that.

    Best wishes

    Val.

  • They are lovely little birds Deb/Val, have never seen them yet.

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  •  Photo of Blackcaps.

    Hey! It wotked. 

    Best wishes

    Val.

  • Well done,Val. It's easy when you know how. Interesting shot.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • That was the only time I managed to get them both together, usually the male fed from the bird feeders & the female the bird table. Which she guarded from every bird, except him. :-) Taken last Winter, I assume it was the same pair we have now.

    Best wishes

    Val.

  • well done on getting the lovely photo on here Val, great to see the beautiful Blackcap pair in your garden.

    _____________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

1 2