eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog

Hi all,

Let’s make the Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) our “Bird of the Week”. (Now isn’t our new "Rocketus-J-Squirrelum Vespucciland" so much cooler sounding than “Baeolophus bicolor”?) Well regardless of your feelings about Latin, here’s a shot of the little guy himself.



The call of the titmouse (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Tufted_Titmouse_dtl.html#fig1) is famous for its “peter, peter, peter” sound. Titmice are also known for working with other mobbing birds to drive off predators.

Tidbits you might not know about the tufted one:

• Their range in North America has grown considerably over the last 100 years. (See an excellent depiction of their territorial expansion: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/BOW/TUTI/)
• Titmice prefer seed, though insects will do in a pinch. (This assertion is up for debate concerning seasonal eating patterns, though I’ll argue the point.)
• They have been rumored to snatch the hair off of live dogs to line their nests. (Editor’s note: We’re skeptical on that one!)
• In general, the titmouse is a close cousin to the chickadee.
• It’s difficult to distinguish the male ‘mouse from the female.
• The titmouse is not migratory.
• They can live ten years or more.
• In general, tufted titmice are cavity dwellers in trees.
• These folks also cache food in the bark of trees.

Do you have any observations about the “TT”? I’m particularly curious about the legend that the birds will try to swipe the hair of living creatures to line their nests.

As always, use the “Comments” button below to add your thoughts. See you by the feeders.

CapeCodAlan

References used for this post are listed below:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Wikipedia
• Audubon Society
• The National Audubon Society’s “The Sibley Guide to Birds”
• ”Birds Of North America” published by Golden
• ”Birds of New England” from Smithsonian Handbooks