Pearls of the Tufted Titmouse

A Quick Drink

Fairfield, Iowa

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse dips beak down into the birdbath and up so quickly that pearls go flying into the air.

This is a treasured backyard species in the southern part of Iowa and throughout most of eastern North America. It is a year-around resident.

Since it lives in the same general area its whole life, it never has to undertake the rigors and dangers of migration. That may be one reason it often becomes quite comfortable around human beings.

Know your titmouse 

If you are feeding birds in your backyard, and you have Tufted Titmice visiting, you're seeing the same individuals, day after day. Your titmice know you. And they probably trust you.

I do feel as if they are my personal friends, more than most of the birds I see regularly. Neighbors. And it feels very nice to welcome them with a birdbath kept unfrozen thanks to a built-in heater. So that in any weather my friends can always have a cuppa. 

— Diane Porter, December 2, 2021