The crown is sooty black and extends to the lower nape. The Carolina Chickadee face is white from the cheeks to the sides of the nape. The sooty black bib is sharply defined. Upperparts are gray with an olive wash. Secondaries have indistinct white edges that contrast with gray greater coverts.
Flanks are pale gray buff, only slightly contrasting with the grayish-white breast and belly.
The cap is sooty black and extends to the lower nape. Black-capped Chickadees are white from the cheeks to the side of the nape. The black bib extends from the chin and throat to the lower sides of the cheeks and upper breast, where its demarcation is poorly defined. Upperparts are olive gray with slightly darker tail and flight feathers. The outer tail feathers are broadly fringed with white.