In autumn, the woods are alive with color and movement. Quiet showers of leaves swirl to the ground. And little gray blurs darts among them. This feathered friend tips the scale at 0.6 to 0.9 ounces. That translates into the weight of four to six quarters – the heaviness of pocket change! These lightweight, frequently seen visitors are tufted titmice, affectionately known as ‘tufties’.
Tufted titmice number in the hundreds of thousands and millions. Because of this, they’re labeled “common”. In another sense, they’re extremely remarkable in so many ways. Just start with their name! Their personality, appearance, and behavior are all noteworthy. They’ve also been convicted of kleptotrichy. (Don’t worry…they aren’t going to any kind of bird jail.) You’ll be intrigued and delighted with tufted titmice after this short read. You might even become a real fan and buy a mug or t-shirt!
Where’d That Name Come From?
It’s soooo hard choosing a baby’s name. Consideration is given not only to the name but all the possible nicknames that one could love or hate. The titmouse really had no choice in the matter. The name comes from the Old English words “tit” and “mase.” Tit meant “small”; mase meant “bird”. “Mase” eventually changed into “mouse”. And that’s actually pretty fitting. Both the mouse and the bird have lovely gray color, striking black eyes, and skittering movements. The first part of the name has kind of become the ‘butt of many jokes’. Kind of…
So…what’s the plural for titmouse? The “esteemed scientific research platform” named Reddit had these suggestions:
The scholarly answer?
The etymology of the “mouse” part of titmouse is completely separate from the etymology of the word mouse. (source) Therefore, while the plural of mouse is mice, the plural of titmouse should be titmouses (ignore your spellcheck). All that being said, titmice has also become acceptable. It’s used by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Sibley Guides, Crossley Identification Guide, and National Geographic.
Appearance
Titmice sport beautiful gray feathers with a white or light gray belly. This is accented by a black forehead and bill with very snappy black eyes. A thin black ring of feathers makes their eyes seem large. A soft orange color wash flows over their sides. While these could be the color choices for a lovely interior design, they’re not the most striking feature.
For tufty lovers it’s all about the crest of feathers. Sometimes the feathers are as sleek as a Clark Gable hairstyle. Not very interesting at all. But when the crest perks up, personality comes alive. The crest is alert, curious, confident and extremely appealing to birdwatchers. One writer translated tuft language this way: “When the younger, subordinate titmice see Mr. Big Crest coming, they lower their crests and get out of the way, mumbling a few things under their breath as they go.” Someday we might be able to translate the meaning of all those crest positions!
Personality
Tufty’s personality and disposition would make it a top candidate in high school popularity contests. To begin with, it’s quite friendly and sociable. (After all, it’s a relative of the chickadee.) It’s athletic. Special leg muscles allow it to hang upside down to feed. Some sources rank titmice among the most intelligent birds (after crows, jays, and parrots).
However, titmice probably wouldn’t have sung any solos for the music department. While they’re quite talkative, many songs and sounds have a gravelly, raspy Louis Armstrong tone. Cornell University has recorded a variety of titmice songs and calls. Their song is frequently identified as peter-peter-peter. However, they make half-a-dozen different sound. Some of them are quite beautiful. One of their calls fades into the distance, making it seem like they’re moving away.
The sweet tufty temperament is spiced with lots of daring boldness. They’re known to take hair from a live animal and human beings! Sometimes a single hair; sometimes beakfuls of fluffy hair! The hair of raccoon, opossum, dog, fox squirrel, red squirrel, rabbit, horse, cow, cat, mouse, woodchuck, and even human hair have been found in titmouse nests. Why all the risky hair gathering behaviors? Titmice need a very soft nest lining for their babies!
Are you still wondering about kleptotrichy? Did you look it up? The word appeared in a scientific journal article in July, 2021. It’s when birds steal mammal hair for use in their nests. Check out this one-minute video of a tufty pulling hair from a sleeping fox! The titmouse survived. I’m not sure if this is bold bravery or a bit brainless…
If you happen to discover a tumbleweed of cat or dog fur in your house, just tell yourself you’ve been accumulating it for your feathered friends. You may not appreciate the fur in your home; the titmice will create the perfect mattress from it!
Speaking of nests…
They mate for life. Nesting sites include abandoned woodpecker cavities, holes in trees, or bird boxes. The male feeds female for about seventeen-ish days – from courtship through egg hatching. Think of continual Door Dash services for over two weeks!
Conclusion
Tufties rank high on my list of favorite birds; especially after discovering so many remarkable traits. Just curious…what did you find most fascinating or hilarious?
Smiles!
Tufted Titmouse Items for Sale
Small Business: AzarElGreetings.com
Photographing the beauty in our backyard.
Available as prints and canvas giclees.
“Happiness”
“Autumn Delight”
“The Sweet, Simple Things”
Etsy: Watercolor Titmouse Mug
Designed by ApricusArtPrints
Etsy: Suncatcher / Tree Décor
Made by GlassArtStories
This item is handcrafted – glass could slightly differ.
Measurements: 6.5 (h) x 5 (w) inches.
Etsy: Tree Ornament
By ColorSplendor
Tufted titmouse bird painting on a pre sanded, pine wood slice, using professional quality Acrylic paint. I used a touch of metallic paint to add a magical touch to this painting. Finished with two coats of Krylon- ColorMaster, Crystal Clear.
Etsy: T-Shirt
By ShuffleOffToBuffalo
Made with soft, 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. Dual side seams hold the garment’s shape for longer.
Original Photography
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Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
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Original Photography
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Giclée Canvas print, three panel triptych, 30" x 49 1/2" (w/ 3/4" gaps)
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
4" x 6" handmade photo block, Original Photography
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Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30"
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 20”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
Original Photography
