Titmouse is any of a small group of crested North American birds. All titmice have grayish bodies and short, conical bills. The birds measure about 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 centimeters) long. Titmice become active during the day. They feed mainly on insects but also eat seeds and berries. Enemies of titmice include such birds of prey as hawks and owls.
All titmice inhabit wooded areas. The most common type, the tufted titmouse, lives in the eastern United States and in Canada. This bird has a gray crest and back, a whitish belly, and brownish flanks. The bridled titmouse ranges from Arizona and New Mexico to central Mexico. It has a striking black, white, and gray head. The juniper titmouse and oak titmouse possess basically plain grayish coloring. Juniper titmice inhabit the southwestern United States. Oak titmice live in western North America from southern Oregon to Baja California in Mexico.
Loading the player...Oak titmouse
Titmice remain in their territories all year and do not migrate. Titmice pairs stay mated for life. They often nest in old woodpecker holes, lining the nests with fur, feathers, moss, or other soft materials. Most females lay only one brood of five to eight eggs each year. The eggs are whitish with brown spots and blotches. Only the female incubates the eggs, but both parents feed the young.
Tufted titmouse
