Chickadees and titmice (Paridae)
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor. Insects in summer; seeds, nuts and suet in winter, with caching.
- Scientific name
- Baeolophus bicolor
- Length
- 5.5–6.3 in
- Weight
- 0.6–0.9 oz
- Nest
- Natural cavities and old woodpecker holes; uses nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- 1 1/4 in round
- Clutch
- 3–9 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Broods
- 1 per season (sometimes 2)
Identification
- Soft grey above, white below with peach-colored flanks
- Prominent grey crest and large black eyes
- Small black patch just above the bill
Voice
Loud, whistled "peter-peter-peter"; harsh, scolding calls like a chickadee's.
Diet and feeding
Insects in summer; seeds, nuts and suet in winter, with caching.
What do tufted titmice eat? · Best feeder for tufted titmice
Tufted Titmice by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–June |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–June |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–June |
Frequently asked
What do tufted titmice eat?
Insects in summer; seeds, nuts and suet in winter, with caching. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, shelled peanuts, suet.
How big is a Tufted Titmouse?
5.5–6.3 in long and 0.6–0.9 oz.
Do tufted titmice use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 1/4 in round entrance, 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 ft.
Sources
- Tufted Titmouse — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tufted Titmouse life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tufted Titmouse — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
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.