Guide to North American Birds
Conservation status Within its limited range in United States, very common, numbers apparently stable.
Family Chickadees and Titmice
Habitat Oak and sycamore canyons, pine-oak woods. Breeds mostly in areas with many live oaks, often in pine-oak woodland. In some areas, will breed in streamside groves of cottonwoods and willows at middle elevations. In winter, small numbers are regularly found in such cottonwood-willow groves.
An active little crested bird of southwestern woodlands. In lower canyons of the Arizona mountains, the Bridled Titmouse is often one of the most common birds at all seasons, with small flocks moving about and chattering in the oaks as they search the branches for insects. The callnotes and behavior of this species (and even its head markings) may suggest a chickadee more than the other titmice.

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Feeding Behavior

Forages in various trees and bushes but especially in oaks, hopping actively among branches and twigs, pecking at bases of leaves, often hanging upside down. Will feed on the ground briefly as well. Will come to bird feeders for seeds or peanut-butter mixtures; opens seeds by holding them with feet and pounding with bill.


Eggs

5-7. Unmarked white. Details of incubation are not well known, but probably mostly or entirely by female. Young: Probably both parents bring food for young. Development of young and age at first flight not well known.


Young

Probably both parents bring food for young. Development of young and age at first flight not well known.

Diet

Mostly insects, some seeds. Diet is poorly known. Apparently feeds mostly on insects, including caterpillars, beetles, probably many others, including insect eggs and pupae. Also eats various seeds.


Nesting

Nesting behavior is poorly known. Pairs may remain together at all seasons, establishing nesting territory after flocks break up in late winter. In Arizona and adjacent New Mexico, nesting activity is mostly from April to June. Nest site is in hole in tree, often in dead limb or stump; may be either natural cavity or old woodpecker hole. Nest height varies, 4-30' above ground. Will also use artificial nest boxes. Nest has extensive soft lining of grass, leaves, spiderwebs, lichens, plant down, catkins, animal hair, and other items.

Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
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Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds

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Migration

Mostly a permanent resident. Small flocks regularly move to lower elevations in winter, and occasionally appear in streamside groves far from mountains.

  • All Seasons - Common
  • All Seasons - Uncommon
  • Breeding - Common
  • Breeding - Uncommon
  • Winter - Common
  • Winter - Uncommon
  • Migration - Common
  • Migration - Uncommon

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Songs and Calls

Vocalizations are similar to calls of other chickadees and titmice, but more rapid and on a somewhat higher pitch. The song is a 2-syllable phrase, repeated several times. One of its common calls is a variant of the familiar chick-a-dee.
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
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