Blackcap

Sylvia atricapilla

Common Summer visitors with 900,000 breeding pairs in Britain plus 260,000 birds in Ireland.

Also breeds in mainland Europe.

Males have olive-grey upperparts, other than a paler grey nape and a neat black cap on the head.

The underparts are light grey, becoming silvery white on the chin, throat and upper breast.

The tail is dark grey, with an olive tint to the outer edge of each feather.

Females resembles the Male, but has a reddish-brown cap and a slightly browner tone to the grey of the upperparts.

Juveniles are similar to Femalesn, but their upperparts have a slight rufous tinge, and the breast and flanks have a more olive tone.

The song is rich musical warbling, often ending in a loud high-pitched crescendo.