Blackcap

Blackcap, or Blackcap Warbler (Sylvia atricapilla), a migratory bird, resident in the warmer parts of Europe, arriving in Britain about the middle of April and leaving in September, stragglers occurring sometimes during the winter. The adult male is nearly six inches long, has the top of the head black, neck ash-grey, rest of upper surface greenish-grey, tail barred with a darker shade, under surface ash-grey. The female is somewhat larger, and has the top of the head reddish-brown, and the rest of the plumage more tinged with brown than the male. These birds feed on insects, berries, and fruit, especially red currants and raspberries; and the male takes part in the task of incubation. The song of the blackcap is sweet, loud, and wild, according to Gilbert White, superior perhaps to any of our warblers, the nightingale excepted.