by Gary Allen

Created on: March 27, 2009

Tufted titmouse fun facts:

Titmice weigh an average of less than one ounce. They may be tiny in size but not in spirit. If a predator gets close, the tufted titmouse is quick to defend its habitat that covers the Atlantic coast and parts of the mid-west. Tufted titmouse prefer nesting in tall trees. Some species of titmice have adapted their nesting habits to changing conditions.

Titmice regularly visit bird feeders and are not shy about mixing in with other types of birds. The tufted titmouse will eat seeds, fruit and vegetables. They can also be seen hanging upside down in trees eating insects. A tree full of insects will satisfy its appetite just as well. The bird also hides food in trees to ensure a supply during the winter months.

Tufted titmouse habitat:
The northern boundary of the tufted titmouse starts in middle New England and extends down the Atlantic coast to southern Florida. Trace a line along the Gulf coast to eastern Texas. Turn north to the Great Plains, continue on your trek to the north to southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Nesting behavior:
Once a nest of moss, bark and hair has been constructed in the cavity of a tree, the female will lay five to eight eggs and will sit on them for 14 days. The time span from egg laying to leaving the nest is approximately eight weeks one to two broods will be raised every season. Occasionally, a youngster will stay behind to help raise the next brood.

Various species of titmice:
The tufted titmouse is part of the chickadee family, and probably the best known. More species include the juniper titmouse, oak titmouse, black crested titmouse and more.

On the pacific slope, oak titmice make their home in the oak woodlands. Since losing more of their habitats due to oak trees dying from disease, and the effects of global warming, the oak titmouse population has been shrinking, due to its inability to seek out other nesting places.

Juniper titmice live in the same region as the oak titmouse, but ranges farther afield during the breeding season. The extended range will take it east to Oklahoma and down south to Arizona. This bird has done a better job adapting to the planet's changing conditions. It will nest in vegetation other than oak trees, giving it a better chance of reproducing

The titmouse is a raucous little bird that continue to thrive. It is often sighted at suburban bird feeders. It adapts well to humans and sometimes will approach and take food right from a persons hand. Nesting appears to be the only activity hard for the titmouse to do around humans, as they prefer their nest to be about thirty or more feet above the ground.

Learn more about this author, Gary Allen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.