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Tufted Titmouse - (Baeolophus
bicolor)
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| The Tufted Titmice in our
backyard swoop in to a feeder to grab a
sunflower seed and quickly take off. They fly
to a tree branch, secure the seed with their
feet and hammer away with their beak until the
inner seed is exposed. They tirelessly return
and repeat the process at least three times.
Difficult as it is to capture a clear photo, I
feel challenged to keep trying. |
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I find his big black eyes make
him seem very child-like and adorable. His
soft gray, pointy hooded top coat over a clear
white underbelly and that little rusty edging
are just too cute. Just as I was about to say
I hadn't seen much of him recently, I looked up
to see a titmouse grab a small seed at the
closest feeder. Again he's too fast for me
to focus the lens. I should have two more tries
until he moves on.
The name titmouse is derived
from a Scandinavian word for little (tit) and an
Old English work for bird (mase or mouse) or
simply a "small bird". My grandson
Campbell, knowing the tufted Titmouse is one of
my favorite, frequently asks how "Tufty" is
doing.
In looking at past bird
photos, I see the Tufted Titmouse is a faithful
year-round resident in our backyard. He's
even cuter in the snow. I seem to need
more practice time to capturing clear, candid
shots of this tricky non-poser.
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Size:
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Length: 6-6.5 in
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Weight: .75 oz |
Wingspan: 9.75-10 in |
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ID:
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Male: Small slate gray with a pointed
crest; white face, chest and belly;
flanks and sides are rust colored; eyes
are dark and huge
Female and Juvenile: Same as male
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Habitat:
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Woods, open forest, forest edge,
riparian, suburbs and parks
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Diet:
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Insects and their larvae, berries and
seeds; fond of suet and sunflower seeds
at feeders; will fly to tree branch,
hold seeds between feet and then pound
the seed shell open with beak;
stores extra sunflower seeds in the
ground
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits:Monogamous; solitary
nester; mates for life; 2 broods per
year
Local Breeding Period: Late April
Nests: Existing cavity or birdhouse
(bluebird size); female lines nest with
leaves, bark, moss, grass, feathers, old
snakeskin and will pluck fur from
animals and hair from humans
Eggs: 5-7 creamy or white with evenly
spaced fine brown dot markings,
especially at the larger end; incubated
13-14 days by female (male feeds female
during courtship and nesting)
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless,
naked, eyes closed) and stay in nest
15-18days;
both parents feed
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Social Activities:
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Quite tame, might be hand-fed;
usually seen alone or in pairs; rarely
squabbles with other birds; travels in
winter in small flock of small mixed
birds
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Range:
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Eastern to Central United States;
non-migrator
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Vocalization:
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Courtship call is a clear, whistled
"Peter, peter, peter"; males do most of
the singing, but not all; call can be
high-pitched, squeaky to harsh, scolding
notes
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| Lifespan: |
Up to 13 years |
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