By Tom Dennis
Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor
My observation of the Tufted Titmouse is that they are all Boy and Girl Scouts. Their behavior exemplifies the Boy Scout Law in that they are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent! Please read on to learn more about their physical description, some interesting facts, and habits that make them an enjoyable, year-round feeder visitor in our area.
Titmice and chickadees are in a family of birds that includes twelve species in North America; we have only the Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee in our area with both being friendly birds that can be taught to feed from your hand. We are near the northern range limit for the Tufted Titmouse and its common in the eastern half of the United States as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. These energetic little birds are homebodies, living their entire lives within a few kilometers of their birthplace (ask the grandchildren how far that is).
The Tufted Titmouse is a small bird, weighing in at 0.8 ounce and 6 inches in length. They are grey above with white breast and face, black bill, forehead and eye, and they sport a uniquely plumed crest. Red-brown sides and flanks complete the attire with both sexes similar and juveniles relatively dull compared to adults. The song is a musical whistle usually described as “peter, peter, peter” but it can have many variations. They also make a variety of call notes, some sounding much like their chickadee cousins.
The genus name Baeolophus is from the Greek words “baios”, meaning little or small and “lophos”, the tuft or crest on the head of a bird. The specific epithet bicolor is Latin for “two-colored”. The preferred diet of the Tufted Titmouse is mainly insects, especially caterpillars, and they also eat seeds, nuts and berries. They are very curious with humans and may be seen peering into windows to watch us. Feeding on the other hand, is done warily and they like to hide in cover, snatch a seed, and fly back to cover to eat. Bird feeders with sunflower seeds or peanuts are most successful when placed near dense shrubs or trees.
Titmice are cavity nesters and any birdhouse or woodpecker hole will do. They line the nest with soft materials such as grasses, moss, feathers, snakeskin, and animal fur; occasionally plucking hair from live animals such as dogs. They have an estimated population of 12 million individuals and prefer moist woodlands and suburban areas. They only occur where rainfall is greater than 24 inches per year. Their lifespan in the wild averages just 2.1 years with a maximum age of almost 10 years.
In Cherokee legend, Tufted Titmice are regarded as messengers, so you may want to be careful what you say in their presence. And in closing, remember the Boy Scout Law; young birds are known to stay with the family their first year and help with raising next year’s young!
If you want to learn more about birds you are welcome to attend Blue Water Audubon meetings held at The Pointe, 5085 Lakeshore Rd, inFort Gratiot on the first Monday of the month, October through May at 6:45PM. There is also a Facebook page, “BlueWater Audubon Society”, be sure to friend us. Don’t forget to plan for the 5th annual Winter Bird Blast on Saturday, February 23, 2019…watch for more details in future articles.
Tom Dennis is a free-lance writer, passionate birder, zoologist, and naturalist.
