General

Bushtit: Tiny, acrobatic bird with gray-brown upperparts and paler underparts. Eyes are dark brown, bill is tiny, and tail is long. Coastal race has brown crown. Inland race has gray cap and brown ear patch. Black-eared race has black mask, ear patch. Weak fluttering flight.

Range and Habitat

Bushtit: Resident from extreme southwestern British Columbia, southern Idaho, southwestern Wyoming, and Colorado southward. Also found along the Pacific coast states and south into inland Mexico. The preferred habitats include coastal forests among second-growth alder thickets and edges of coniferous forests composed of maple, dogwood, and birch.

Breeding and Nesting

Bushtit: Five to seven white eggs are laid in a hanging, gourd-shaped nest with a side entrance near the top; nest is made of soft plant wool and lichens, and suspended in a bush or tree. Both parents incubate eggs for approximately 12 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Bushtit: Feeds on insects and spiders; also small fruit seeds.

Readily Eats

Suet

Vocalization

Bushtit: Calls of "tsip" and "pit" are constantly uttered. Alarm call is a high trill.

Similar Species

Bushtit: Juniper Titmouse and Oak Titmouse are larger and have head tufts and larger bills. Juvenile Verdin has shorter tail, gray-brown upperparts, and gray-brown wash on its sides.