The Carolina Chickadee can be seen throughout the southeast of this continent including: nearly all of the Coastal Plains region (12); all of the southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont region (10) up to and including the extreme western area of Pennsylvania; nearly all of the Interior Highlands region (11); and small areas of the Interior Lowlands region (5) in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, as well as the southern areas of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

Carolina Chickadees may be found in deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous woodlands, swamps, riparian areas, open woods and parks, and also in suburban and urban areas.

Similar in size and appearance to the Chestnut-backed Chickadee but lacks the chestnut coloring. Instead, it has buff or gray sides. Also, the black bib extends a little further down the white chest, but does not wrap around the side. White cheeks and underparts, usually with buff sides and gray back.