The Tufted-Titmouse is one of the four primary birds at our feeders right now. I added a Cardinal mix with black oil seed to draw them in to the feeders. This variety was another early discovery for me. When a Titmouse finds a large seed, you will see it carry to a perch and crack it with sharp whacks of its bill. It will perform this duty again and again. They are eternally entertaining to watch. They hang sideways at times while on the feeder. The Tufted-Titmouse have large black eyes and a brushy crest that cannot be missed.
We are looking to add color at the feeders but if I had one feathery fellow to choose for pure entertainment value, the Tufted-Titmouse would be it. They carry on and argue with one another. Spend more time running each other off than they do actually eating.
Updated July 15th, 2012, several new photos. The House Sparrows moved aside for the return of the Tits. These little guys dart in and out so fast, one has to be quick with the shutter.
Tufted-Titmouse on top of feeder
- Aperture: ƒ/5.6
- Camera: X-S1
- Taken: 15 July, 2012
- Focal length: 90.4mm
- ISO: 400
- Shutter speed: 1/280s
Tufted-Titmouse on large feeder
- Aperture: ƒ/5.6
- Camera: X-S1
- Taken: 16 June, 2012
- Focal length: 132.3mm
- ISO: 500
- Shutter speed: 1/500s
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- Black-crested Titmouse
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- Titmouse Acrobatics
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- Titmouse Fussing – not the best of shots but content is king.
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- Tufted-Titmouse on mini windmill
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- Tufted-Titmouse on large feeder
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- Showing just how dainty they truly are
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- Titmouse on the Desi’s favorite feeder
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- Tit on windmill
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- Tufted-Titmouse on top of feeder
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- Tiny Tit on small feeder
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- Tufted-Titmouse watching me watch him
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Some of these are Black-crested Titmice, not Tufteds. Tufted Titmice will never have the buffy/white forehead above the beak.
We started out with a Texas Birds field guide this past June. It had pictures. Lessons learned. We need to revisit several of these old post. Thank you so very much for the feedback and correction.
Actually, we have few “Black-crested” vs. “Tufted.” You cannot base it on black vs. buff face. Most of ours have grey tufts, yet their faces are not black. Hybridization has caused most to have dark grey tufts with buff faces. Some Texas guides point this out but I am not sure if it is regional or across the board.