Titmouse are small songbirds that are found throughout North America. They get their name from their call, which sounds like “tit-tit-tit-tit”. There are several different species of titmouse, including Tufted Titmouse, Black-crested Titmouse, Oak Titmouse, Juniper Titmouse, and Bridled Titmouse. Titmice eat a variety of foods, including insects, spiders, seeds, berries, and nuts. When feeding titmouse, it’s important to provide a diversity of foods to meet their nutritional needs.
What do titmice eat?
Titmice are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal material. Their diet consists primarily of insects and spiders during spring and summer months when raising young. Caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, and spiders are common prey. Titmice will also eat seeds from grasses, berries, acorns, and nuts. Favorite berries include wild grapes, Virginia creeper, sumac, hackberry, and blackberry. Seeds and nuts from trees like maple, elm, birch, beech, and pine are also eaten.
How should I offer food?
Offering a wide variety of foods will attract titmice to your backyard. Having both high energy suet and seed mixes available provides balanced nutrition. Here are some feeding tips:
– Use tube feeders, hopper feeders, or platform feeders. Fill with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, safflower seeds, shelled peanuts, and other nuts.
– Offer suet feeders with insect, fruit, or nut suet cakes.
– Spread wild bird seed mixes on ground feeders or platforms. Mix should contain millet, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, milo, wheat, and oats.
– Offer fruit like raisins, currants, apples, or oranges in platform feeders or mesh bags.
– Hang hummingbird feeders with sugar water to attract insect prey.
– Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that produce seeds, berries, and nectar to feed on.
– Provide a fresh water source like a bird bath or fountain.
Feeder placement tips
Here are some tips on where to place feeders to attract titmice:
– Situate feeders near trees or shrubs within 5-10 feet. This provides quick escape from predators.
– Place feeders at different heights and locations. Titmice will feed high in trees or right on ground.
– Put feeders where you can observe them from a window. Titmice are active and fun to watch.
– Distribute feeders throughout your yard to reduce crowding and competition.
– Move feeder location periodically to avoid buildup of waste below.
– Clean feeders regularly with soap and water to prevent spread of disease.
When and how often to feed
It’s best to provide food year-round, but especially during fall and winter when natural food sources are limited. Here are some tips:
– Begin feeding in early autumn when insects and fruit become scarce.
– Feed consistently through winter when seeds and berries are covered by snow.
– Refill feeders often, even twice a day in cold weather when energy demands are high.
– Continue feeding into spring as titmice rely on feeders until insects emerge.
– Taper off feeding in summer, providing water sources instead.
– Clean feeders weekly and discard old, wet seed to avoid mold.
Providing a constant, reliable food source will encourage titmice to become regular backyard visitors. Let the feeders run empty between refills though to avoid waste.
Foods to Offer Titmice
There are many types of foods that can be offered to attract titmice to your yard. Here is an overview of suitable foods and feeders:
Seeds
Seeds provide essential fats, proteins, and calories. Some good options include:
– Black oil sunflower seeds – Nutritious favorite of titmice. Use in hopper, tube, or platform feeders.
– Nyjer thistle – Small, oil-rich seeds that titmice will eat from finch feeders.
– Safflower seeds – Titmice like these, though cardinals tend to avoid them. Fill hoppers or tubes.
– Peanuts – Offer shelled, unsalted peanuts in mesh bags or platform feeders.
– Cracked corn – Scatter on ground or platform feeders.
– Millet – Fill platform feeders or scatter on ground.
– Oats – Similar to millet, sprinkle on platform feeders.
– Nut pieces – Chopped nuts attract titmice. Avoid coated or salted nuts.
Suet
Suet provides fat and protein from rendered animal fat. Offer in cage feeders or suet holders. Some options are:
– Insect suet – Contains dried mealworms, cranberry, and seeds.
– Berry or fruit suet – Dried berries and fruit with seeds and nuts.
– Seed suet – Sunflower seeds, nuts, corn, and millet embedded in suet.
– Peanut butter suet – Peanut butter blended with seeds, corn, oats, etc.
Fruit
Dried or fresh fruits offer natural sugars. Offer in platform feeders, mesh bags, or skewer onto branches. Some good fruits are:
– Raisins and currants
– Chopped apples or oranges
– Halved grapes
– Dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries
– Dried mealworms – Protein source that can be mixed into fruit.
– Chopped nuts and seeds – Mix with dried fruit.
Nectar
Sugar water nectar will attract insects that titmice prey upon. Use hummingbird feeders or oriole nectar feeders. Make homemade nectar by mixing 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Boil to dissolve sugar and cool before filling feeders. Change nectar weekly to avoid spoilage.
Water
Provide a shallow bird bath, fountain, or other water source. Moving water attracts insects. Place rocks or twigs in birdbath for titmice to perch on when drinking. Refill water frequently and clean bath weekly. Place near trees or shrubs for quick escape from predators.
Feeders
Select feeders designed to accommodate titmouse dietary preferences:
– Tube feeders – Clear plastic or wire mesh tubes dispense seeds. Select tubes with small perches.
– Hopper feeders – Dispense seeds from bin above. Protect seed from rain.
– Platform feeders – Flat surface holds various seeds, suet, fruit. Place on ground or mounted on pole.
– Suet holders – Use cages or mesh bags to hold suet cakes.
– Nectar feeders – Use shallow hummingbird style or specialized oriole feeders.
– Ground feeding trays – Flat trays scatter seed on ground to forage on.
– Mesh bags – Place suet, peanuts, fruit, or mealworms inside to access.
Meeting Nutritional Requirements
To stay healthy, titmice need a varied diet that provides:
Protein
Protein is essential for muscle maintenance, growth, breeding, and raising young. Get protein from:
– Insects – Caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, spiders
– Larvae – Mealworms, grubs from rotting wood
– Legumes – Peanuts, soybeans
– Tree nuts – Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts
– Seeds – Sunflower, nyjer, safflower, millet
– Suet – Rendered fat from beef or mutton
Fat
Fats provide insulation, energy reserves, and transport for vitamins. Offer high fat foods like:
– Suet – Pure concentrated fat, often mixed with seeds.
– Nuts – Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans
– Oily seeds – Sunflower, nyjer, safflower, hemp
– Dried fruit – Raisins, currants, berries
– Peanut butter – Smear on pine cones or bark.
Carbohydrates
Carbs provide essential energy. Get carbs from:
– Fruits – Berries, apples, oranges, grapes.
– Corn – Whole kernels or cracked corn.
– Oats – Rolled or steel-cut oats.
– Wheat – Cracked wheat or wheat berries.
– Millet – Tiny yellow seeds, scatter on ground.
Vitamins and Minerals
Essential vitamins and minerals come from:
– Fruits and berries – Oranges, grapes, bananas, berries.
– Vegetables – Broccoli, spinach, sweet potato, carrots.
– Green plants – Sprouted seeds, leafy greens, grasses.
– Insects and bugs – Caterpillars, worms, beetles, flies.
– Calcium sources – Eggshells, oyster shell, bone meal.
– Sprouted seeds – Soaked, sprouted sunflower or wheat seeds.
Water
Fresh clean water is vital for hydration and feather maintenance. Provide in:
– Bird baths – Add rocks for perching and dripping water.
– Fountains – Moving water attracts insects.
– Rain gardens – Low areas filled with wetland plants.
– Streams – Titmice will drink from running water.
– Dew drops – Titmice take advantage of all water sources.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
When feeding titmice, beware of these common mistakes:
Not enough variety
Feeding only one or two types of food lacks nutrients and vitamins. Mix it up with seeds, nuts, fruits, suet, insects.
Old, spoiled food
Discard wet, dirty food that can grow mold. Clean feeders weekly.
Unwanted pests
Avoid attracting squirrels and large birds that outcompete titmice. Use feeders with weight or perch size to exclude pests.
Inappropriate feeders
Use tube or hopper feeders suited for small birds. Platforms work for fruits, suet and ground feeding.
Poor placement
Situate feeders near trees or shrubs for quick escape. Distribute feeders throughout yard.
Insufficient refilling
Refill empty feeders promptly so food is always available. Refill more frequently in winter.
Lack of fresh water
Provide a reliable, clean water sources like a bird bath, fountain, or ground dish.
Too much disturbance
Avoid noise and commotion near feeders. Give birds space and watch discretely from afar.
Following sound feeding practices will create a bird-friendly backyard that attracts a diversity of species like titmice for your enjoyment.
Conclusion
Titmice are entertaining, energetic songbirds that bring color and activity to backyards across North America. By offering a variety of tasty, nutritious foods in suitable feeders, you can provide critical resources to sustain titmice throughout the seasons. Seeds, nuts, fruits, suet, insects and fresh water are key components of a balanced titmouse diet. Feed consistently and be sure to clean and refresh food and water regularly. Position feeders in optimal locations near trees and shrubs for safety. Follow these tips to create an inviting habitat that will attract titmice to your yard. With their acrobatic antics and cheerful chatter, titmice make delightful additions to any backyard bird community.