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Tufted Titmouse

A common and welcome visitor to backyard feeders such as Whatbird's All-Weather Feeder, you'll be pleased with a visit from the  Tufted Titmouse, the largest of the titmice found in the western hemisphere. The Tufted is a year-round resident of eastern woodlands feeding on insects, snails and spiders, shifting to fruits, nuts and seeds in the fall and winter. Tits seem to like people and often "reply" to human whistling. The dark eye-ring surrounding the black eye, along with the spiky blue-grey crest, gives this bird an inquisitive look full of character and personality making it a popular sighting in backyards across its expanding northern range. Watch for the Tufted Titmouse (photo) to stop by along with chickadees and listen to these very vociferous birds chatter away as they enjoy the seeds and nuts provided.

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Mitch Waite

I live in Minnesota and this morning I went out to feed my dog and heard a Tufted Titmouse making its "peter peter peter" call.  I was able to locate it sitting in my cedar tree.  I had a good view of the bird so I grabbed my binoculars and started watching it.  All of a sudden a Cardinal landed right next to it on the branch and the Titmouse went beserk, shaking all over and sounding some kind of alarm call.  The cardinal then proceeded to peck its beak into the open beak of the sounding Titmouse several times.  This calmed the titmouse and after a bit the Cardinal flew away.

Has anyone ever seen this type of behavior between different species before?  I feel priveledged to have seen it by I'm confused as to what it was all about.

Wow that is an amazing story. I wonder what the Cardinal did to that Titmouse? Scared him or calmed him?

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iBird Explorer: Finally a field guide as light as a feather. See it at http://www.ibird.com

that almost seems like feeding behavior.  when young/juvi birds flap and sqwauk alot to get attention for food - the other bird - sometimes not even it's parent - triggred by the sight of open beak and sound - just feed it.  I know cardinals do this with other birds - and even with large goldfish in coy ponds - they  see the open gaping mouths and instincively feed it. 

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B.H.B.

I agree that these are one of the cutest birds. With their (apparently) huge black eyes these tiny birds look like something drawn for a Disney movie.

Although they were abundant in Southern Texas last winter, it was very difficult to get the camera on them because they are so very active. I've never seen one sit still for more than a second or two. Attached is the best pic I've managed to get so far. 

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/photos/nieblas_gallery/category1037/picture3553.aspx

If your bird was staying put on the branch, even after the cardinal landed, I agree with BHB. I'll bet it was a fledgling waiting to be fed.

There's a good bird-watching tip in all this. If, in summer or fall, you see a bird of a usually very active species, just sitting as if nailed to a branch or fence, wait a while and there's a good chance a parent will be along to feed it. If you look around you may also find siblings.

Swallows, for example, are another kind of bird difficult to photograph because they feed (and even drink) on the fly, and seldom perch in plain sight.This Summer I started to see a lot of them perching on fence wires and each time I did, it turned out to be a fledgling waiting to be fed. When they see or hear an adult coming near, they get incredibly agitated: flapping wings, squawking, and holding their mouths open wide. For the photographer, this is a great opportunity.

Here are a couple of albums showing this behavior in Barn and Rough-winged Swallows.

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/photos/upload_your_photos/category1060.aspx

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/photos/upload_your_photos/category1063.aspx

Chris

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Chris from Denver