Tufted Titmouse

Baeolophus bicolor 
Titmouse family (Paridae)

Larger than a chickadee, 5 ½” long. Overall grayish color, gray crest on head, gray back and head, white face, light gray breast, whitish belly, black forehead. Flanks have rusty wash.

Habitat:
Deciduous forest.

Nesting:
Cavity nester. Does not excavate its own cavity. Nests in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or artificial nest boxes. Eggs are white with small brown speckles. Clutch size – 5 to 6 eggs.

Voice:

Song is a down-slurred series of two-syllable whistled notes, “peter peter peter” or one-syllable “pete pete pete”.  Call is a scolding “jweejweejwee” or a series of high-pitched whistles.  Family groups of titmice chat vigorously; sounds like they’re having a tea party. 

In the Nature Park:
Year-round resident. In July, families of Tufted Titmice form small flocks that persist until spring. During winter, Tufted Titmice occur in mixed-species foraging flocks with Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Downy Woodpeckers. Tufted Titmice are competitively dominant over other flock members.

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