Black-crested Titmice in Oklahoma
When black-crested titmice are present in Oklahoma, when they nest, which native Oklahoma plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–8a yard.
- Status in Oklahoma
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- March–June
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–8a
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
- Range note
- Southwestern Oklahoma.
When to expect black-crested titmice in Oklahoma
Black-crested Titmouses live in Oklahoma all year — southwestern Oklahoma. Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward acorns and pecans.
Humid in the forested east, semi-arid in the western plains and Panhandle.
Nesting in Oklahoma
Across Oklahoma, black-crested titmice typically nest from March–June. Nest site: cavity or nest box. Females lay 4–7 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 15–18 days.
Hot summers with strong winds; water is especially valuable in the west.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before February — black-crested titmice begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/4 in entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.
Native Oklahoma plants that attract black-crested titmice
Of the regional native plants we track for Oklahoma, these 8 provide food or cover black-crested titmice use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Feeding black-crested titmice through the Oklahoma year
Replaces Tufted Titmouse in central and south Texas; the two hybridize where they meet.
- Best foods: Sunflower, Suet, Peanuts.
- In Oklahoma's winter: Mild winters with occasional severe ice storms.
Full diet breakdown for black-crested titmice · Best feeder for black-crested titmice
Frequently asked
Are black-crested titmice in Oklahoma year-round?
Yes. Black-crested Titmice are year-round residents in Oklahoma. Southwestern Oklahoma.
When do black-crested titmice nest in Oklahoma?
Nesting in Oklahoma typically runs March–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–7 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract black-crested titmice in Oklahoma?
Flowering dogwood, Serviceberry, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Spicebush, New England aster are native plants in Oklahoma that provide food or cover for black-crested titmice.
What size birdhouse hole do black-crested titmice need?
1 1/4 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–15 ft.
Black-crested Titmice in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oklahoma
Sources
- Black-crested Titmouse — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-crested Titmouse life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-crested Titmouse — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Oklahoma
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.