Bushtits are small, active birds that can be tricky to identify at first glance. However, with some knowledge of their key field marks, behavior, habitat, and range, identifying Bushtits is quite straightforward. In this guide, we will cover the main identification features of Bushtits and provide tips for distinguishing them from similar species.
What is a Bushtit?
The Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) is a tiny songbird found across western North America. They are members of the family Aegithalidae, along with Long-tailed Tits and Penduline Tits.
Some key facts about Bushtits:
- Length: 4-5 inches
- Wingspan: 6-8 inches
- Weight: 4-6 grams
- Lifespan: 2 years on average
- Diet: Insects, spiders, and vegetable matter
- Habitat: Open woodlands, scrub, gardens
- Range: Western North America from British Columbia to Baja California
Bushtits get their name from their tendency to forage through low, bushy vegetation. They are highly social birds, traveling in flocks of up to 30 individuals.
Field Marks
Bushtits have a distinctive appearance that makes them relatively straightforward to identify once you know what to look for:
- Size and shape: Very small and round-bodied. Larger than hummingbirds but smaller than chickadees.
- Bill: Short, slender, and pointed bill.
- Plumage: Soft gray upperparts, pale buff underparts, light brown on the sides. Belly is whitish.
- Head: Bold black eyes. Pale forehead. Faint whitish stripe over the eye.
- Tail: Very long tail in proportion to the body size. Dark above and pale below.
The overall impression is a tiny, energetic bird constantly wagging its very long tail. The plumage is nondescript gray and buff, with few if any bright colors or markings.
Behavior
Bushtits exhibit behavior that stands out:
- Almost always occurs in flocks.
- Nearly constant motion – frequently fluttering wings and wagging tail.
- Flocks make continuous soft calls and twittering noises.
- Forages busily through vegetation, hanging from branches.
- Builds elaborate sock-shaped nests from vegetation and spider webs.
You are unlikely to see a Bushtit sitting still! They move through vegetation by hopping along branches and almost constantly wagging their tail. The flock behavior and incessant flock calling are good clues.
Similar Species
Bushtits share their small size and gray-brown plumage with a few other species. Careful attention to plumage details, proportions, and behavior will help identify them:
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Larger and more slender than Bushtit. Broken white eye ring. Orange crown stripe. Actively fans and flicks tail.
- Golden-crowned Kinglet – Larger and more slender. Bold yellow and black crown stripes. Two white wing bars.
- Brown Creeper – Curved bill. Stiff-looking tail. Brown upperparts. Habitually hitches up tree trunks.
None of these similar species share the Bushtit’s long tail, gray coloration, and highly social behavior. Once you’ve noted the key Bushtit features, they are usually straightforward to recognize.
Song and Calls
The near-constant vocalizations of Bushtit flocks provide helpful identification clues:
- Flock makes continuous soft twitters, cheeps, and contact calls while foraging.
- High-pitched “seep” notes while in flight.
- Thin, high-pitched descending song. Not particularly musical.
- Calls described as buzzy, lisping, or rattling.
- Call note sounds like “zeeeep”.
The flock vocalizations have a buzzing, high-pitched quality unlike any other species. With practice, the calls can make Bushtits identifiable before even laying eyes on them.
Habitat
Bushtits occupy a range of wooded and scrubby habitats, mostly in the western U.S.
Look for Bushtits in:
- Open oak, pine, and mixed woodlands.
- Chaparral and scrub habitats.
- Forest edges and trails.
- Parks and residential areas with trees and bushes.
- Avoiding deep forest interiors.
They favor habitats with a dense, low growth of shrubs, bushes, and small trees. This provides opportunities for crawling through the branches while foraging.
Range
Bushtits live along the west coast of North America:
- West of the Cascade Mountains from southwest British Columbia south through western Oregon and California.
- Inland through western Nevada.
- South to Baja California in Mexico.
- Isolated populations in western New Mexico.
- Rare vagrant east of their core range.
Within their range, Bushtits can be common to abundant in suitable scrubby habitat. Their range is very limited eastward in North America.
When and Where to See Them
The best times and locations to find Bushtits include:
- Most easily observed during the non-breeding season when flocks are largest.
- Flocks can number over 30 birds in winter.
- Breeding pairs more secretive and harder to spot from April-July.
- Look in open woodlands with oak, pine, or mixed trees.
- Shrubby parks, backyards, scrublands, and chaparral.
- Along forest edges and trails.
- Coastal habitats in their range.
With a little effort, Bushtits can be observed in many locations within their western range. Their constant flock calling alerts an observer to their presence.
Conclusion
Identifying the tiny and energetic Bushtit mainly comes down to noting:
- Very small size.
- Long tail constantly wagging.
- Flocks with constant contact calls.
- Drab gray-brown plumage.
- Foraging actively through vegetation.
Bushtits have a very limited range in western North America. But within that range they can be a delightful backyard bird. With a little practice, birders can go from “just another LBJe” to readily recognizing these characteristic little songbirds. Their energetic behavior and flocking habits make Bushtits a joy to observe.