by BA Nester
The titmouse, you might be surprised,
Though dainty is daring and wise,
She stores away seed
So she won't be in need
When the cold winter weather arrives.
by Kathy Doremus, the Backyard Bird Nerd
One of my favorite birds that frequents our feeders is the busy, talkative Tufted Titmouse! They have such a spunky, feisty persona! They are the first to sound the alarm when a predator passes overhead, or a neighborhood cat comes prowling. For such a little bird, they have a very loud voice … PETER-PETER-PETER … Over and over, again and again! If I am passing through the kitchen, even with the windows closed, my attention will be drawn to the feeders because the Tufted Titmouse, is calling! Tsee-day-day-day! Tsee-day-day-day!
A lot of people call the Tufted Titmouse drab, but I think they are beautiful with their bluish-gray color, their peachy sides and their white breasts and bellies! I love their pert crests which they raise and lower to show their excitement. Their big black eyes with their black foreheads that blend into their small, round bills make them very stylish in their grays and blacks!
If you notice at your feeders, you may have chickadees, nuthatches, and Tufted Titmice all together! At our feeders, the Northern Cardinals and Carolina Wrens are in this group, too, sometimes with a Downy Woodpecker swooping in to join them! In my opinion, the Titmouse is the Guard, always on alert and scolding out a warning when necessary! The Tufted Titmouse prefers Black Oil Sunflower seeds and according to a study, when given the choice, they always take the biggest seed! As the limerick said, the Titmice are hoarders, storing up seeds which they tuck in the cracks of the trees for winter eating. They eat nuts, berries, and acorns, too, and in the summer they eat insects … caterpillars, beetles, flies and wasps and spiders.
Tufted Titmice build their nests in cavities they find vacated by woodpeckers and owls. Since they can’t make their own cavities, they also will nest in man-made boxes! Get your Tufted Titmouse boxes up well before breeding season so they have time to find them. It’s best to put up a Guard to prevent any predators from getting at the chicks and eggs. The Titmice often line their nests with hair which they have been known to pluck directly from the unwitting donor … “raccoon, opossum, dog, fox squirrel, red squirrel, rabbit, horse, cow, cat, mouse, woodchuck, and even human hair”. Very resourceful!
The natural habitat of the Tufted Titmouse are deciduous and/or mixed species woods, but, lucky for those of us who enjoy this plucky little bird, they thrive in suburban neighborhoods, too!
If you are new to Birding, listen for Peter-Peter-Peter and Tsee-day-day-day, Tsee-day-day-day. Look for this busy little gray bird with a crest and a black forehead! I bet it will become one of your favorites, too!
