Tufted Titmouse

 

   
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Tufted Titmouse - (Baeolophus bicolor)

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.

 

 

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.

 

       


Size:                       

Length: 6-6.5 in      Weight: .75 oz         Wingspan: 9.75-10 in

ID:       

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                                     

Habitat:

Woods, open forest, forest edge, riparian, suburbs and parks

Diet:

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

Family Behavior:

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

Social Activities:

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

Range:

Eastern to Central United States; non-migrator

Vocalization:           

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
Lifespan: Up to 13 years

 
   

 
   

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