Long-tailed tits (Aegithalidae)
Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus. Tiny insects and spiders.
Long-tailed tits (Aegithalidae)BushtitPsaltriparus minimus
- Scientific name
- Psaltriparus minimus
- Length
- 2.8–3.1 in
- Weight
- 0.1–0.2 oz
- Nest
- Hanging sock-shaped nest of spider silk and moss
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–10 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–13 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Tiny grey-brown ball with a long tail
- Stubby bill
- Female pale eye, male dark
Voice
Constant soft twittering in flocks.
Diet and feeding
Tiny insects and spiders.
Bushtits by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Year-round resident | February–June |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| California | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | March–June |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Utah | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Washington | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | April–June |
Frequently asked
What do bushtits eat?
Tiny insects and spiders. At feeders: suet.
How big is a Bushtit?
2.8–3.1 in long and 0.1–0.2 oz.
Do bushtits use birdhouses?
No. Hanging sock-shaped nest of spider silk and moss.
Sources
- Bushtit — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bushtit life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Bushtit — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.