Tufted Titmouse

Baeolophus bicolor
Titmouse family (Paridae)

Habitat:
Deciduous forest.

Description:
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. 

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.