FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The tufted titmouse is a small songbird who is a part of the tit bird and chickadee bird family. The name of their genus Baeolophus means that they are small crested. These birds usually live in smaller parties with parents and their offspring in well-vegetated areas. These birds are quite active and noisy. They make a variety of noises that can be a whistle, a song or even a monotonous sound. Human beings can actually call the tufted titmouse near them by imitating their sounds or the calls that they make. The black-crested titmouse was once thought to be a subspecies of tufted titmouse but has become its own species. They live most of their lives in their nests in trees in order to avoid predators.
If you liked this article with amazing tufted titmouse facts, then also check out the other articles with facts about birds of paradise and barn owls!
A tufted titmouse is a type of bird.
A tufted titmouse belongs to the class of Aves.
Since tufted titmice are a common type of songbird found in North America, it has been difficult to calculate their exact population. However, scientists and researchers have noted that the population of the bird has increased from 1996 to 2005 by over 1.5% per year especially in the United States of America.
Tufted titmice primarily inhabit the United States of America and are native to the riverside areas in the states of Ohio and Mississippi. They are common on the eastern side of the Great Plains and in the forests of southeastern, eastern, and midwestern parts of the USA. These birds can also be found in the southern parts of Ontario in Canada.
A tufted titmouse's preferred habitat is in the terrestrial and temperate, deciduous forests. These birds prefer deciduous or mixed woodlands which are mostly moist in nature. Therefore, this species prefers swamps and river basins as their natural habitat. Tufted titmice can also be found in city parks and suburban areas as well if they are rich in deciduous wood and trees.
Tufted titmice can survive alone as well but they are not solitary birds. During fall and winter, these small birds flock together to roost. They build large nests or nest boxes in forests where the birds of the species can share warmth and body heat during the harsh winter months. Male tufted titmice are dominant over the females.
A tufted titmouse lives for approximately two years. However, if left in the wild, these birds can live for up to 10 years.
A male and female pair of the tufted titmice species form a mating bond during the breeding season. This pair detaches themselves from the rest of the flock, after fall and winter, and in February they prepare for the breeding season. Tufted titmice complete their breeding in trees and nests during the warm months between March and May. The female bird may deliver a brood of eggs once or twice a year. Each delivery consists of between five and seven eggs. Male and female tufted titmice both reach sexual maturity when they turn one year old. After breeding is complete, the approximate time it takes for the eggs to hatch is up to 17 days. The usual fledgling age for these babies is between 17 - 18 days.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the tufted titmouse (Baeolophus Bicolor) under the Least Concern category. This shows that the birds of this family or species are not at risk of extinction anytime soon and its population is stable and increasing enough to not cause any alarm.
These birds have a white front with a grey upper body. The gray-colored part is outlined with rust or orange-colored feathers nears its chest. They have black eyes and are black-crested as well. The tufted crest on their heads is mostly grey or black in color.
Tufted titmice are very cute! With their sweet sounds and small, colorful bodies, they make a very charming picture perched in bird feeders, their nest, or on branches of trees.
The tufted titmouse mostly communicates with each other by using a variety of sounds that they can make. They have different types of calls which they apply in different situations. In addition to that, these birds also use different body movements and postures to communicate.
Adult tufted titmice are usually as long as 5.5 - 6.3 in (14 - 16 cm). Their wingspan is usually 9 - 11 in ( 23 - 28 cm) long.
An African buffalo is almost 10 times the size of a tufted titmouse.
Since the tufted titmouse is a very small bird, it cannot fly very fast.
Tufted titmice are one of the smallest North American birds. A tufted titmouse usually weighs between 0.6 lb - 0.9 lb (0.018 kg - 0.026 kg).
Tufted titmice do not have separate names for the male and female birds of their species. Therefore, scientists just denote them by calling them male and female tufted titmouse.
A baby tufted titmouse is often called a nestling as is usual for the birds of the songbird species.
Tufted titmice mostly eat a variety of insects for food. Apart from insects, it also eats invertebrate animals such as caterpillars, snails, spiders, or moths. They also eat berries and seeds for food which they break with their bill. They prefer to eat sunflower seeds or suet seeds in their bird feeders or a nest. This is why many humans use seeds to lure these birds to their bird feeders or nest.
The tufted titmouse may not be as dangerous as its predators but at times, it can get quite aggressive. Some of the high-frequency sounds they make actually show their aggressiveness and may even lead to a mobbing of these birds! However, these birds are not very aggressive to humans and can even reach a level of comfort and familiarity with them if the humans are friendly and set up feeders, nests, or nest boxes in trees in their backyard. If the bird notices a steady supply of food and seeds in these feeders, nest boxes, or nests, they may even go near the human and pluck the seeds right from their hands! This is why birds of this species and similar species are often also known as backyard birds.
Tufted titmice might be somewhat friendly to humans but they are still wild songbirds. Therefore, they cannot be tamed very easily. However, if humans construct a nest or bird feeders for them, especially with sunflower seeds or seeds nuts, the birds may feel safe enough to approach the humans. However, they will not make good pets as they cannot be tamed or trained easily.
Male and female tufted titmice form mating pairs or bonds during the breeding season which lasts for their entire lifetime till one of them dies.
A group of titmice collectively are known as 'banditry' or 'dissimulation'.
Since the tufted titmouse (scientific name Baeolophus Bicolor) is a type of songbird, the sounds it can make are quite unique and diverse. Tufted titmouse songs or the tufted titmouse call can be quite melodious. Most commonly, they make a whistling sound that resembles 'Peter-Peter-Peter' or 'Peto-Peto-Peto'! There are around 10 - 20 sounds associated with the tufted titmouse which are divided into two groups, low-frequency sounds, and high-frequency sounds.
Tufted titmice are not commonly migratory birds and stay in their nest throughout winter.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the secretary bird and the blue and yellow macaw.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our tufted titmouse coloring pages.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tufted_Titmouse/overview
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/tufted-titmouse
https://celebrateurbanbirds.org/learn/birds/focal-species/tufted-titmouse/
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.