TUFTED TITMOUSE
PR

The mouse-colored bird with the pointed headdress can instantly be identified as the tufted titmouse. It is the only small-sized bird with this characteristic and its familiar song of "peter, peter, peter" further aids recognition. Light gray flanks change to a soft cinnamon rufous in such a subtle manner that it can hardly be noticed.

Like its associates, chickadees and nuthatches, the titmouse is an outstanding acrobat. From a trapeze on an oak or maple tree it swings head down in a constant search for insects or other small animal life. A piece of suet suspended in a wire cage ensures the presence of this delightful little bird at your back door.

The tufted titmouse has lots of curiosity and is not easily frightened. In winter, he flocks up in small groups, all of which are probably the same family.

This little fellow is not equipped with a chisel beak and does not care to build a nest in the bushes so its primary source of homes are deserted woodpecker holes. In this secluded location, safe from nearly all enemies except an occasional snake, five to eight white eggs heavily blotched with brown are laid in a nest of moss, leaves and animal hair. Nesting boxes may be used in lieu of natural sites.

Wildlife Neighbors Home Page