Tufted Titmouse, a little gray bird with an echoing voice, is common in eastern deciduous forests and a frequent visitor to feeders. With its large black eyes, small, round bill, and brushy crest, this avian species possesses a quiet but eager expression that complements its agile movements through canopies, delicate perching on twig ends, and graceful descents to bird feeders. When a Tufted Titmouse discovers a large seed, you’ll observe it transporting the prize to a perch and cracking it with sharp whacks of its stout bill.
In Backyard Birding Tips of Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse, regular patrons of backyard bird feeders, particularly during the winter months. Their preference leans towards sunflower seeds, yet they’ll readily indulge in suet, peanuts, and assorted seeds. Discover more about their culinary preferences and optimal feeder choices through the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.
When it comes to nesting, Tufted Titmice opts for cavities, making nest boxes an ideal lure for breeding pairs to your yard. Erect these boxes well in advance of the breeding season and affix guards to deter predators from plundering eggs and hatchlings. For detailed guidance on constructing nest boxes tailored for Tufted Titmouse, consult All About Birdhouses, offering comprehensive plans for building suitable accommodations.
Fascinating Insights:
- In the realm of ornithology, the Black-crested Titmouse native to Texas and Mexico has, at times, been regarded merely as a variant of the Tufted Titmouse. Although these two species interbreed where their habitats intersect, the hybridization zone remains narrow and consistent over time. Noteworthy distinctions emerge in their vocalizations and are further underscored by genetic variances.
- In contrast to many chickadees, Tufted Titmouse pairs eschew the formation of larger flocks outside of the breeding season, opting instead to maintain their territory as a duo. Often, one of their offspring from the previous year remains with them, while occasionally, juveniles from distant locales may join their ranks. In rare instances, a young titmouse will extend its stay with its parents into the breeding season, contributing to the rearing of the subsequent year’s brood.
- During the autumn and winter months, Tufted Titmice exhibit a penchant for hoarding food, a behavior shared with their avian relatives such as chickadees and tits. Capitalizing on the abundance provided by bird feeders, titmice diligently stores a significant portion of the seeds they acquire, typically within a radius of 130 feet from the feeder. Their approach involves retrieving one seed per trip and often prepping the seeds by shelling them before concealment.
- Tufted Titmice opt for tree holes or nest boxes for nesting purposes, yet cannot excavate their nest cavities. Instead, they rely on natural hollows and crevices left behind by woodpeckers. This dependency on decaying wood for habitat underscores the importance of preserving dead trees within forested areas rather than resorting to their removal.
- A notable aspect of their nesting behavior involves lining the interior of their nest with a variety of materials, including hair sourced directly from live animals. The roster of identified hair types retrieved from aged nests encompasses a diverse array, ranging from raccoons, opossums, and mice to woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, domestic livestock, pets, and even human hair.
- Remarkably, the oldest documented wild Tufted Titmouse lived to be at least 13 years and 3 months old. Initially banded in Virginia in 1962, this resilient avian was rediscovered in the same state twelve years later, attesting to the longevity and adaptability of this species.
