Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Tufted Titmouse is a small, plump bird with a distinctive crest on its head. Its upperparts are soft gray, contrasting with white underparts and rusty flanks. The forehead is black, and it has a pale ring around its large, dark eye.
Both sexes look alike, with juveniles closely resembling adults. The bird's appearance remains consistent throughout the year, with no seasonal plumage changes.
Size
Length
14cm to 16.5cm
Wingspan
20cm to 25cm
Weight
18g to 26g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey
Secondary Colour
White Black Brown Orange
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Tufted Titmice are native to eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada to northeastern Mexico. They thrive in deciduous and mixed woodlands, often near forest edges and clearings.
These birds are year-round residents throughout their range, showing a slight northward expansion in recent decades. They are common in the eastern United States and frequently seen in suburban areas with mature trees and backyard feeders.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Tufted Titmouse. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Tufted Titmouse displays remarkable agility, regularly performing acrobatic manoeuvres whilst foraging. Their ability to hang upside down and navigate through branches with quick, jerky movements demonstrates exceptional aerial dexterity.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst small in stature, these birds possess notable strength relative to their size, capable of carrying seeds and nuts weighing nearly half their body weight. Their ability to hammer open tough seeds also indicates decent strength for their size class.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable birds that thrive across various woodland environments and have successfully colonised suburban areas. Their varied diet, ability to cache food, and recent range expansion northward demonstrate strong adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally peaceful birds that readily form mixed-species flocks. Whilst they defend their territories during breeding season, they show limited aggressive behaviour compared to many other species, preferring social interactions.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
These year-round residents maintain active foraging throughout the day and across seasons, demonstrating good endurance. Their ability to survive harsh winter conditions and sustain breeding duties whilst maintaining territory suggests solid stamina.
Diet
Tufted Titmice have a varied diet consisting of insects, seeds, and berries. In spring and summer, they primarily consume caterpillars, beetles, and other arthropods.
During fall and winter, they shift to a diet rich in acorns, beechnuts, and sunflower seeds, often caching food for later consumption.
Behaviour
Tufted Titmice are active and acrobatic foragers, often seen hanging upside down to glean insects from tree branches. They are known for their habit of carrying large seeds to a perch, holding them with their feet, and hammering them open with their strong beak.
These birds are social, frequently joining mixed-species flocks outside of breeding season.
Vocalisation
The Tufted Titmouse is known for its clear, whistled 'peter-peter-peter' song, often repeated in sets of three or four.
They also produce a variety of calls, including a nasal 'tsee-day-day-day' when alarmed and soft, musical chirps during social interactions. Their vocalizations are loud and carry well through wooded areas.
Nesting & Breeding
Tufted Titmice form monogamous pairs and begin breeding in early spring. Males court females with soft calls and by offering food.
Nests are built in tree cavities or nest boxes, typically 3-6 meters above ground. The female constructs the nest using moss, leaves, and bark strips, lining it with soft materials like animal fur.
The female lays 5-7 white eggs with reddish-brown spots and incubates them for about 14 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 15-18 days but may remain with the family group for several weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Tufted Titmouse is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces challenges from habitat loss due to urbanization and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving deciduous forests and promoting bird-friendly urban landscapes. Citizen science projects help monitor population trends.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Tufted Titmice in deciduous and mixed woodlands, especially near forest edges.
- Listen for their distinctive 'peter-peter-peter' call, which is often repeated.
- Check bird feeders, as they readily visit for sunflower seeds and suet.
- Observe their quick, jerky movements as they forage in trees and shrubs.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators of Tufted Titmice include hawks, owls, and domestic cats. Squirrels and snakes may prey on eggs and nestlings in tree cavities.
Did You Know?
- Tufted Titmice often line their nests with animal hair, sometimes plucking it directly from living mammals.
- Young Tufted Titmice may stay with their parents through the winter, helping to raise the next year's brood.
- These birds can carry seeds and nuts of nearly half their own body weight.
Similar Birds
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Baeolophus bicolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22711983A94314102.
View source - 3 4
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
- 2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
View source
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