Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse is a small songbird approximately six inches in length. It is gray with a white underside. The face is white but its forehead is dark. The black eye-ring surrounding its black eyes makes the eyes look over large as if its just been startled. Its gray crest is a distinctive characteristic making it easy to identify. The male and female are similar in appearance and not always easy to distinguish.

The Tufted Titmouse is non-migratory bird and can be found over most of eastern North American and in Southern Canada, especially where deciduous and mixed woodlands are found. They prefer a dense canopy any will nest in swamps, parks and other tree laden areas.

The Tufted Titmouse's primary food source is insects, especially caterpillars, but it will also eat seeds, nuts and berries. It can be seen as it forages on the ground and through the branches of trees. When feeding at a birdfeeder, the Tufted Titmouse will scout the area from the cover of trees before flying to the birdfeeder. It will scoop up a seed and return to the trees to eat it. They often establish food caches for later consumption. They store seeds under back and in little bullet holes.

Garden Angel Bird Bistro Feeder

Avant Garden 8501-3 Cottage Lantern Bird Feeder

Copper Triple Tube Bird Feeder

The Tufted Titmouse breed between April and the first part of July. Once a pair gets together, they mate for life. The female builds the nest in a hole in a tree, either a natural cavity or an old woodpecker nest. She lines the nest with soft material such as moss, fur, bark, leaves and grass. Once the nest is complete, she lays a clutch of 5 to seven eggs. The eggs are white with brown spots. Both the male and the female tend the nest. The hatchlings leave the nest within two to three weeks but stay with the parents for up to two months.

The mated pairs stay together and defend their territory year-round. They are permanent residents and often join small mixed flocks in winter.

The Tufted Titmouse is songbird and usually the first bird heralding the arrival of spring. When the days start to lengthen, stop and listen. You just might hear the Tufted Titmouse's distinctive call, peter-peter-peter.

Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD)

This book-audio package provides a unique introduction to fifty of the most familiar birds of North America and the songs they sing. Common Birds and Their Songs will be valuable to anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.