northeast-flora-and-fauna

Though I've shown a Tufted Titmouse before in a communal setting , this post is of a solitary one. Tufted Titmice are considered relatively bold and curious birds: They might pluck fur from a shedding dog. They sometimes turn the table on birdwatchers, seemingly watching them instead. Titmice are related to chickadees and will sometimes form small flocks with them called banditries [1]. In 2002 the population of Tufted Titmice plunged, but not due to death. This is the year that the Black-crested Titmouse became a separate species; before that they were considered a subspecies of Tufted Titmouse [2]. March 22, 2023 at the Raritan River Greenway Photo 269154306, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) [1] Despite the larcenous name, law enforcement rarely needs to investigate their activities. [2] These 2 species are clearly related and frequently hybridize, but: They tend to hybridize only in a narrow strip where their ranges overlap. Scientists think there's enough ...

Bird feeders can be busy places, especially in winter when food (especially insects) isn't readily available. This picture shows, left to right, a "confusing" chickadee  [1], a Tufted Titmouse , and a White-breasted Nuthatch . Although I'm sure these birds meet in wild settings to forage for food, bird feeders are 1 of the few places there's sufficient food to bring numerous foraging birds into close proximity to each other. I haven't witnessed an actual fight at a bird feeder; they usually establish a pecking order that won't leave everyone happy but generally avoids physical altercations. All 3 of these birds not only eats from the feeders, but they're also hoarders, taking food from the feeder and hiding it for later [2]. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and woodpeckers are often found foraging in the same area, probably for a couple of reasons: They're looking for similar food. Having more eyes on the alert for danger means it's less likel...