The average life-span of a Black-capped Chickadee is probably
about 2.5 years. The longest lived on record was 12 years 5 months.
In captivity the average is 7 years.
Another reference reported the average life expectancy for a
black capped chickadee as 1.5 years for a female and 1.8 years for
a male. Mortality from predation is especially high for very young
individuals but weather and accidents seem to be the primary causes
of death of all age groups.
For the Carolina Chickadee the oldest known individual was 10
years 11 months.
Please note: There are seven species of chickadees in North
America: the Black-capped Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Carolina
Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Mexican Chickadee, Mountain
Chckadee and the Siberian Tit.