Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
The Black-Crested Titmouse of Texas and Mexico was once believed to be a form of the Tufted Titmouse. The two species hybridize where they meet, but they differ slightly in their calls. There are genetic differences as well.
These birds hoard food in fall and winter. They share this behavior with many of their relatives. Titmice exploit bird feeders when they can, and they hide many of the seeds they find. The storage sites are often within 130 feet of the feeder. They take only one seed per trip. And they usually shell the seeds before caching them.
Tufted Titmice nest in tree cavities and man-made nest boxes, but they can not carve their own nests. They use natural holes left by woodpeckers. Their dependence on dead wood for their homes is one reason we should allow dead trees to stand in forests rather than cutting them down.
Taxonomists do not recognise any subspecies (they are monotypic).
I launched an expedition to explore eastern Canada and the USA in the spring of 2023. My journey carried me through Kansas, where I met my first Tufted Titmice. Later, I met more of these perky specimens in Ohio, Virginia and Alabama. In 2020, I traveled to Texas for the first time. When I met Black-Crested Titmice there, I mistook them for Tufted Titmice. The differences are subtle.
21 Photos
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
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Description: I began my drive in Dandridge Tennessee. After crossing the northwest corner of Georgia, I stopped at a rest area called the Alabama Welcome Center. I needed to stretch my legs, and when I saw some of its bird-life, I knew just how to spend my next hour. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:23 11:17 |
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Location:
Alabama Welcome Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X0874_AlabamaWelcomeCenter |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I began my drive in Dandridge Tennessee. After crossing the northwest corner of Georgia, I stopped at a rest area called the Alabama Welcome Center. I needed to stretch my legs, and when I saw some of its bird-life, I knew just how to spend my next hour. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:23 11:17 |
|
Location:
Alabama Welcome Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X0870_AlabamaWelcomeCenter |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I began my drive in Dandridge Tennessee. After crossing the northwest corner of Georgia, I stopped at a rest area called the Alabama Welcome Center. I needed to stretch my legs, and when I saw some of its bird-life, I knew just how to spend my next hour. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:23 11:17 |
|
Location:
Alabama Welcome Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X0864_AlabamaWelcomeCenter |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
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Description: Before I pulled into Harrisonburg VA, I scouted the region for promising locations to find birds. There were three places that seemed worth visiting. The second was Riven Rock Park, twelve miles up US-33 heading into the Allegheny Mountains. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:19 10:02 |
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Location:
Riven Rock Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X9302_RivenRockPark-VA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: Before I pulled into Harrisonburg VA, I scouted the region for promising locations to find birds. There were three places that seemed worth visiting. The second was Riven Rock Park, twelve miles up US-33 heading into the Allegheny Mountains. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:19 10:01 |
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Location:
Riven Rock Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X9273_RivenRockPark-VA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
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Description: I boondock camped in Fort Valley, near Strasburg Virginia, and enjoyed the local birds there. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:16 14:19 |
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Location:
Elizabeth Furnace Recreational A |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X9011_FortValley-VA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I boondock camped in Fort Valley, near Strasburg Virginia, and enjoyed the local birds there. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:16 14:18 |
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Location:
Elizabeth Furnace Recreational A |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X8909_FortValley-VA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
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Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:50 |
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Location:
Fall Leaf |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94538_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
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Description: During my three-day visit with friends in Dayton Ohio, I split my time with the local birds between backyard feeders and a local arboretum. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:05 6:28 |
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Location:
Shanersville |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX98652_SouthDayton-OH |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: During my three-day visit with friends in Dayton Ohio, I split my time with the local birds between backyard feeders and a local arboretum. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:05 9:21 |
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Location:
Cox Arboretum |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX99493_SouthDayton-OH |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: During my three-day visit with friends in Dayton Ohio, I split my time with the local birds between backyard feeders and a local arboretum. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:05 9:22 |
|
Location:
Cox Arboretum |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX99549_SouthDayton-OH |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: During my three-day visit with friends in Dayton Ohio, I split my time with the local birds between backyard feeders and a local arboretum. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:05 9:23 |
|
Location:
Cox Arboretum |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX99575_SouthDayton-OH |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: During my three-day visit with friends in Dayton Ohio, I split my time with the local birds between backyard feeders and a local arboretum. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:05 9:24 |
|
Location:
Cox Arboretum |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX99667_SouthDayton-OH |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I boondock camped in Fort Valley, near Strasburg Virginia, and enjoyed the local birds there. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:16 14:13 |
|
Location:
Elizabeth Furnace Recreational A |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_Z9X8825_FortValley-VA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:50 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94527_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:50 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94504_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:50 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94496_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:17 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94416_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:17 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94405_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:15 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94398_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor) |
|
Description: I spent a week visiting friends in Linwood Kansas, and spent parts of several days chasing yardbirds. Those I met were rather shy, and resisted posing for my camera, but I captured what I could. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:19 10:15 |
|
Location:
Fall Leaf |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: TuftedTitmouse_ZX94389_Linwood-KS |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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