#titmice

Bridled Titmouse Baeolophus wollweberi

Birdwatching is so much fun because things change a lot throughout the year but every stage is fun. I haven't seen a lot of Tufted Titmice all year but they are returning to feeders now. They are one of my favorite birds, so I am stoked to see these cuties again. Now if the Bluebirds would please also get the clue…

I forgot to add! Calendars are on sale this weekend, tomorrow until Monday, right here:

Two more birds as thanks for Waymaker donators! Left, a swooping male American Redstart in his bold black and orange, for @ziggetyzigzag on bsky/twitter; right, an alert little Black-capped Chickadee in cool winter lighting for Meredith S Walker.

Photo: Aaron Maizlish

"A characteristic bird of much of southern and central Texas, barely extending northward into southwestern Oklahoma. This is a close relative of the Tufted Titmouse of eastern North America, and was treated as a subspecies at one time. Where the ranges of the two species meet in east-central Texas, they sometimes interbreed, producing hybrids that may show a dark gray crest and a reddish brown forehead."

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

(Photo by Darlene Friedman)

Conservation Status- Least Concern

Habitat- Eastern United States

Size (Weight/Length)- 21 g; 17 cm

Diet- Insects; Seeds; Berries

Cool Facts- Tufted titmice, sometimes called tufties, are tiny songbirds with big vocal range. Forming small groups called banditires, tufted titmice will sit in branches above berry bushes. When the coast is clear from larger birds, they will descend into the bush, grab a berry, and fly back into the tree before eating. Despite their skittish nature, these tiny birds will happily take down a hornet’s nest in exchange for a few juicy larvae. When constructing their nests, female tufted titmice will use animal fur and snake skins to make it as soft as possible. Chicks stay with their mother throughout their first year of life, sometimes helping to rear the next generation.