Tufted titmouse

The tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is a small songbird native to eastern North America. The species belongs to the tit and chickadee family (Paridae). The black-crested titmouse, found from central and southern Texas southward,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was included as a subspecies but now is considered a separate species, Baeolophus atricristatus.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Etymology

The generic name Baeolophus translates to "small crested" and is a compound of the Ancient Greek words Template:Linktext: baiós meaning "small", and Template:Linktext: lόphοs meaning "crest". The specific name bicolor means "two-colored".

Description

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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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, the species' range has been expanding northwards.<ref name=":1" />

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.<ref name=":3" /> Caterpillars constitute a major part of its diet during the summer. This species is also a regular visitor to bird feeders.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> 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.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.Template:Citation needed

The tufted titmouse is vocally active and will respond to sounds of agitation in other birds.<ref name=":1" /> This species readily forms small flocks, known as troupes or banditries, which often associate with chickadees and other passerines when foraging.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Breeding and nesting

Tufted titmice nest in a hole in a tree, either a natural cavity, a human-made nest box, or sometimes an old woodpecker nest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They line the nest with soft materials, sometimes plucking hair from live mammals to use as material, a behavior known as kleptotrichy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> If they find snakeskin sheddings, they may incorporate pieces into their nest.<ref>Template:Cite journal

• Template:Cite web</ref> Eggs measure under Template:Convert long and are white or cream-colored with brownish or purplish spots.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Eggs have an incubation period of 12–14 days; titmice will then remain nestlings for 15–16 days.<ref name=":1" />

The lifespan of the tufted titmouse is approximately 2.1 years, although it can live for more than ten years.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Average clutch size is five to seven eggs.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Sometimes, a bird born the year before will help its parents raise the next year's young.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The tufted titmouse will occasionally hybridize with the black-crested titmouse; the hybridization range is very narrow, however, because of genetic differences.<ref name=":2" />

Diet

Annually, nearly two thirds of the tufted titmouse diet consists of insects. During the summer months, caterpillars are an essential part of their diet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With respect to nuts and seeds, the tufted titmouse primarily prefers sunflower seeds and will consume suet and peanuts as well. During the fall and winter, the tufted titmouse hoards food. When visiting a feeder, tufted titmice take one seed per visit and store seeds within 130 feet of the feeder.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Status

From 1966 to 2015 the tufted titmouse population has increased by more than 1.5% per year throughout the northeastern U.S.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The current breeding population is estimated to be approximately 8 million.<ref name=":1" />

External links

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• Tufted titmouse species account – All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
• Tufted titmouse – Baeolophus bicolor – USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
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