Suburban residents are generally familiar with most of our common bird species. They know cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, robins, mourning doves, crows and goldfinches, among others. But one of our more common and conspicuous neighbors, the tufted titmouse, is known only to those who actively feed and observe our avian visitors.
A bit larger and heavier than a chickadee, this species is easily identified by its tufted crown, gray head and back and its white abdomen with buff-colored sides. Its ringing call, usually described as "peter, peter, peter," is commonly heard in residential areas and is especially noticeable in winter, when other birdsong is subdued. Like chickadees, titmice feed on insects and seeds, often scouring bark and twigs for insect eggs or hibernating larvae; they are also common at feeders and seem to have a special fondness for safflower seed. Ranging throughout the central and eastern U.S., tufted titmice are replaced by plain and bridled titmice in the Southwest.
Tufted titmice are among our permanent residents that move about in loose flocks, often in the company of chickadees, nuthatches and downy woodpeckers. Walking a woodland trail, the birder may see or hear little activity before coming upon these "feeding groups." It often appears to me that there is more to these mobile gatherings than a cooperative effort to find prey; rather, they seem to enjoy each other's company!
