The
tufted titmouse (
Baeolophus bicolor) is a small North American songbird in the family Paridae, the
tits and
chickadees. Native to eastern North America, it inhabits deciduous and mixed woodland as well as parks, gardens and suburban areas, and has expanded its range northwards in recent decades. The species has a gray crest, black forehead, pale underside and rust-colored flanks, with a song usually described as a whistled
peter-peter-peter. The tufted titmouse's diet includes insects, seeds, berries and nuts, and it is a regular visitor to bird feeders, sometimes storing food for later use. It nests in tree cavities or nest boxes lined with soft materials, sometimes including hair taken from live mammals. Family groups may remain together beyond the breeding season, with older offspring occasionally helping to raise younger siblings. It is currently listed as a
least-concern species by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature. This tufted titmouse was photographed in
Central Park, New York City.
Photograph credit: Rhododendrites
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