The tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is a small songbird native to eastern North America, a species in the tit and chickadee family (Paridae). The black-crested titmouse, found from central and southern Texas southward,[2] was included as a subspecies but now is considered a separate species, Baeolophus atricristatus.[3]
The generic name Baeolophus translates to "small crested" and is a compound of the Ancient Greek words βαιός: baiós meaning "small", and λόφος: lόphοs meaning "crest". The specific namebicolor means "two-colored".
A small bird, the tufted titmouse has a white front and gray upper body outlined with rust-colored flanks. Other characteristics include its black forehead and the tufted grey crest on its head.[5] In juveniles, the black forehead is greatly diminished such that it may be confused with the oak titmouse (although their ranges do not overlap). Males tend to be larger than females.[6]
The song of the tufted titmouse is usually described as a whistled peter-peter-peter, although this song can vary in approximately 20 notable ways.[7]
Distribution and habitat
The habitat of the tufted titmouse is deciduous and mixed woods as well as gardens, parks, and shrublands. Although it is non-migratory and originally native to the Ohio and Mississippi River basins, factors such as bird feeders have caused it to occupy a larger territory across the United States and stretching into Ontario and Quebec in Canada.[5][6][8] During the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, the species' range has been expanding northwards.[4]
Behavior and ecology
The tufted titmouse gathers food from the ground and from tree branches, frequently consuming a variety of berries, nuts, seeds, small fruits, insects, and other invertebrates.[9]Caterpillars constitute a major part of its diet during the summer. This species is also a regular visitor to bird feeders.[10] Its normal pattern is to scout a feeder from cover, fly in to take a seed, then fly back to shelter to consume the morsel, though caching is also very common.[9][11]
The tufted titmouse can demonstrate curiosity regarding humans and sometimes will perch on a window ledge and seem to be peering into the house. It may also cling to the window frames and walls of buildings seeking prey in wasp and hornet nests.[citation needed]
The tufted titmouse is very vocal and will respond to sounds of agitation in other birds.[4] This species readily forms small flocks, known as troupes or banditries, which often associate with chickadees and other passerines when foraging.[12]
Breeding
Tufted titmice nest in a hole in a tree, either a natural cavity, a human-made nest box, or sometimes an old woodpecker nest.[13] They line the nest with soft materials, sometimes plucking hair from live mammals to use as material, a behavior known as kleptotrichy.[14][15] If they find snake skin sheds, they may incorporate pieces into their nest.[16] Eggs measure under 1 inch (2.5 centimetres) long and are white or cream-colored with brownish or purplish spots.[17] Eggs have an incubation period of 12–14 days; titmice will then remain nestlings for 15–16 days.[4]
The lifespan of the tufted titmouse is approximately 2.1 years, although it can live for more than ten years.[18] Average clutch size is five to seven eggs.[19] Unlike many birds, the offspring of tufted titmice will often stay with their parents during the winter and even after the first year of their life.[20] Sometimes, a bird born the year before will help its parents raise the next year's young.[21]
The tufted titmouse will occasionally hybridize with the black-crested titmouse; the hybridization range is very narrow, however, because of genetic differences.[6]
Status
From 1966 to 2015 the tufted titmouse population has increased by more than 1.5% per year throughout the northeastern U.S.[22] The current breeding population is estimated to be approximately 8 million.[4]
↑ Parnell, Marc (2022). Birds of Connecticut (The Birding Pro's Field Guides). Cleveland, Ohio: Naturalist & Traveler Press. pp.214–215. ISBN978-1-954228-27-6.
↑ Pravosudova, Elena V.; Grubb, Thomas C.; Parker, Patricia G.; Doherty, Paul F. (1999). "Patch Size and Composition of Social Groups in Wintering Tufted Titmice". The Auk. 116 (4): 1152–1155. doi:10.2307/4089699. JSTOR4089699.
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At a bird feeder.
Facing forward.
With a seed.
Fluffed up while preening.
