Worry is like a rocking chair, it's gives you something to do but gets you nowhere!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Tufted Titmouse...For Gail

Tufted Titmouse are commom in Eastern deciduous forests and a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders, especially in winter. Titmouse prefer sunflower seeds, although they will eat suet, peanuts and other seeds. They build their nests in cavities, putting up nest boxes is a good way to attract breeding Titmice to your yard. They are a soft silvery gray above and white below with rusty or peach colored wash down the flanks and a black patch just above the bill. Very entertaining to watch. You will see their assertive side come out when they are with smaller birds like the Sparrow, below. (information taken from http://www.birdsource.org./gbbc/ ) I watched this Titmouse go around and around the feeder squawking at all of the Sparrows to leave.



All he really accomplished was getting the Sparrows all excited and
squawking at each other. That's the Titmouse behind the Sparrow on the right, eating peacefully while the Sparrows were arguing...hmm, know anyone like that?

Posted for Gail at http://clayandlimestone.blogspot.com/ drop by and tell her I said, "Hi." She has a beautifully photographed and written blog about her quest for filling her gardens with native plants.

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Today I am Thankful for learning about our birds. I am also inviting you to check out The Great Backyard Bird Count at http://www.birdsource.org./gbbc/ it will be Feb. 18 - 21, 2011. Hey, if you are watching birds anyway, might as well print out the form, note your observations and submit them. It's free and helps keep track of the birds and their migration habits.

29 comments:

Deb said...

great photos Darla....looks like they are enjoying the feeder....

Dar said...

Your series of pictures are amazing. I don't think I ever have seen the Titmouse up north. What a cute little bird, instigator, like some little kids I once knew. Fun entry.
BlessYourHeart and Day

Anonymous said...

Loved your series of photographs! My favorite is the second photo, where the titmouse is squawking!

Martha said...

Excellent captures! They are so cute :-)

Dorothy said...

Wonderful pictures! I haven't seen a Titmouse this winter! They are cute little birds.

Val said...

Now you really captured the moment! These are great.

Floridagirl said...

Such a cute little titmouse tale...and great pictures! My daughter and I love watching these cute little birds. We have noticed their picky eating habits over the years. They'll spit out everything until they come to a sunflower seed or peanut. Too cute!

Lois said...

You really got some great pictures there Darla! My grandkids were staying with me last week and we enjoyed that same scene going on here at my feeder.

Lona said...

Great pictures Darla! They are the feistiest birds. When I go out to fill the feeders they will set on the branches and just chirp at me. They sound like they are sassing me and telling me to be quick about it. I always tell them I am working as fast as I can. LOL! No wonder my neighbors think I am getting to be that old strange woman. LOL!

Maureen said...

Wonderful pictures. When the garden sleeps in winter I take a lot of bird pics - love 'em.

imac said...

Very neat captures Darla, most enjoyable to see.

Anne Fannie said...

Great pics darla. I love to watch birds at the bird feeders! There is always one that calls the shots!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I love Tufted Titmice, Darla... They are such flirty little guys. They will flit in and out --back and forth, working hard as they eat the black sunflower seeds. But---the Sparrows don't scare easily!!!! ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Patsy said...

They are fun to watch.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What cute birds! I've never seen one in person so it's fun to see them here and get a good idea of their personalities. Seems like they like to stir the pot and cause trouble.

NanaK said...

Adorable! So funny that they will fight over the feeder like that. Great pictures.

George said...

We thoroughly enjoy the titmice that visit our feeders. You got some wonderful pictures.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Wonderful photos! We have two bird feeders here and love to see the tufted tit mouse visiting along with cardinals, chickadees, and more.

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...

Great shots of the birds. Those little fellows are hard to capture!

Meems said...

One of my favorite birds in the garden. So sweet with their big round eyes. I've never seen them be aggressive at the feeders here. Those are some amazing pictures.
Meems

Robin Beck said...

Soo beautiful, I always wondered what they looked like!
Thanks for sharing~♥

Anonymous said...

Hi Darla Dear, You've got some fetchingly fabulous feathered friends at your feeder. <3

Susan said...

Hi Darla...you got some great shots of your birds. I just photographed a group of goldfinches at the feeder this past weekend. They definitely are interesting to watch. Thanks for the reminder about the great backyard bird count coming up, and you're right...might as well fill out the form. Thanks!

Randy Emmitt said...

Darla,

Enjoyed your titmouse photos! I really liked the White-throated Sparrow jumping up also. We do not have but stick perches on our main feeders and white-throats do not get on them like on yours. We do get the smaller Chipping Sparrow on ours though.

Karen said...

Darla, great pictures of the little titmouse, I don't think we have the pleasure of their company up here, but I could be wrong. They certainly are adorable and you captured their feisty spirit.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Darla: Neat shot of the wonderful singer, I do hope they have sung for you.

Ginger said...

We have the tufted titmouse here, too, and they are too cute with their mohawks and beady black eyes! Great photos!

Gail said...

Hugs to you Darla for your always sweet and thoughtful compliments. You are a dear!

I find all those little birds to be such naughty, but, adorable creatures at the feeder. They are like a group of elementary kids in the playground! Usually the finches are the trouble makers and TT grabs his seed and disappears!

Have a deliciously good weekend~xxoogail

Twisted Fencepost said...

Beautiful pictures, Darla! Looks like you've got a handle on the new camera!