This morning, a tufted titmouse called incessantly from our neighbor's tree. Phonetically described as "Peter-peter-peter," the call is common background noise in the suburbs of the Central and Eastern U.S.
Though very common in that region, this small, attractive songbird is known primarily to birders and to those who put out sunflower feeders or suet. Their diet consists mostly of insects and larvae but seeds and berries are also consumed, especially during the winter months.
As much as I enjoy having them around, their call can be annoying at times, especially for those of us who like to read outside. Then again, who am I, a member of the most annoying species on the planet, to complain about their loud, ringing call; it is, after all, purely instinctual.
