Titmice are small songbirds found throughout North America. They are active, social birds that are commonly found in backyards, parks, and woodlands. Titmice are known for their large heads, round bodies, and curious nature. There are several species of titmice, but some of the most common include the Tufted Titmouse, Black-crested Titmouse, Bridled Titmouse, Oak Titmouse, and Juniper Titmouse. Understanding what attracts titmice to a particular habitat or backyard can help bird enthusiasts better provide for these lively little birds.
What Foods Attract Titmice?
Providing food is one of the best ways to attract titmice to your yard or garden. Titmice have diverse diets and will readily visit bird feeders for a variety of foods. Some of their favorite foods include:
- Black oil sunflower seeds – This is one of the top foods preferred by titmice at bird feeders.
- Safflower seeds – Titmice will flock to feeders stocked with safflower seeds.
- Suet – Offer suet in cage feeders or smeared onto tree trunks or branches.
- Peanuts – Offer shelled, unsalted peanuts in feeders.
- Nyjer thistle – Nyjer seed offered in specialty feeders will attract titmice.
- Cracked corn
- Millet
- Mixed birdseed
- Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or cherries
- Chopped nuts
- Mealworms
- Cracked acorns
In addition to bird feeders, titmice will forage in gardens, yards, and woodlands for insects, tree sap, berries, seeds, and nuts. Providing a diversity of food options will make your yard as appealing as possible to titmice.
What Feeders Attract Titmice?
Titmouse birds are agile and acrobatic. They can cling to and perch on a variety of bird feeders. Some feeder styles they prefer include:
- Tube feeders – cylindrical transparent feeders that allow birds to cling while feeding.
- Hopper feeders – house seed mixes and allow titmice to dig through and forage.
- Platform feeders – Open trays that allow easy access to a variety of foods.
- Suet feeders – cage styles are best to prevent larger birds from dominating.
- Specialty feeders for nyjer, peanuts, etc.
- Small mesh feeders that dispense nuts or fruit.
In addition, titmice will readily forage on ground feeding trays or platforms. Place feeders at various heights and positions to allow both access and safety from predators. Locate feeders near trees, shrubs, or brush piles so titmice have a safe place to retreat to after visiting feeders.
What Habitats Attract Titmice?
Titmouse birds thrive in a variety of semi-open habitats. They especially favor areas with a mix of trees, shrubs, and open space. Habitats titmice commonly inhabit include:
- Backyards with a mix of plantings
- Woodland edges
- Hedgerows
- Orchards
- Parks and gardens
- Partially open oak, pine, or juniper woodlands
Titmouse birds need trees and shrubs to forage, nest, and take cover in. But they also appreciate open space for finding food. Backyards make excellent titmouse habitat when they contain a diversity of fruiting shrubs, mature trees, brush piles, open lawn space, and feeders.
What Features Attract Titmice to Backyards?
You can make your backyard more attractive to titmice by incorporating some specific habitat features they will appreciate. Elements to add include:
- Native trees and shrubs – Oak, pine, maple, juniper, spruce, birch, dogwood, etc. Fruit and nut producing trees are especially attractive.
- Berry producing shrubs – Try elderberry, serviceberry, spicebush, hollies, etc.
- Brush piles – Leave dead wood, small branches, and other natural debris for foraging spots.
- Nest boxes – Provide small nest boxes mounted 6-10 feet high on trees.
- Birdbaths – Add a water source like a ground birdbath or fountain.
- Perches – Add small branches, stumps, or potted dead trees for perching.
- Shelter – Ensure there are protected, dense areas for escape from predators.
The more you can make your backyard mimic titmouse natural habitat, the more likely they are to visit and remain in your yard. Be sure to provide food, water, shelter, and nesting spots to attract them.
Do Titmice Migrate or Stay Year-Round?
Most titmouse species do not migrate and instead remain year-round residents throughout most of their range. However, some northern titmice populations may migrate short distances or disperse farther south in winter months when food becomes scarce. Some details on winter movements by species:
- Tufted Titmice – Largely non-migratory. Will stash and hoard food to survive winter.
- Black-crested Titmouse – Resident year-round across much of range.
- Bridled Titmouse – Mostly resides year-round in their breeding habitat.
- Oak Titmouse – Stays year-round in breeding range in California.
- Juniper Titmouse – Non-migratory; remains in southwest habitat.
The non-migratory nature of titmice makes them reliable year-round backyard birds for those within their range. They are hardy birds that can withstand cold winters as long as ample food and shelter is available.
What is the Titmouse Diet?
Titmouse birds are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of plant and animal material. Their diverse diet includes:
- Seeds and nuts – From trees, shrubs, flowers, and feeders.
- Fruit – Berries and edible wild fruits.
- Insects – Beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, grasshoppers.
- Spiders
- Tree sap
- Pollen
- Nectar from flowers
- Eggs and nestlings – Sometimes raid nests of smaller birds.
- Grain from feeders
- Suet
Titmice forage actively across branches, leaves, and bark for insect prey. They also frequently visit feeders for seeds, suet, and nuts. Providing a range of foods will satisfy the diverse diet titmice seek.
What Do Baby Titmice Eat?
Baby titmice are fed primarily insects and other invertebrates by their parents. Good foods for fledgling and juvenile titmice include:
- Caterpillars
- Spiders
- Ants
- Aphids
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Mealworms
- Insect larva
As the nestlings grow, they are gradually transitioned to a more varied diet including seeds, nuts, and some fruit. Caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects remain important sources of protein for developing titmice.
When and Where do Titmice Nest?
The nesting season for titmice can vary across their range:
- Southern populations may begin breeding as early as February.
- Northern populations generally breed May through July.
- Some second broods may occur in late summer.
Titmouse nests are usually built in the cavities of trees or sometimes manmade nest boxes. Favored nest sites include:
- Natural tree cavities
- Old woodpecker holes
- Rotten stumps or limbs
- Bird houses
- Cavities in buildings, fence posts, etc.
Entrance holes are generally 1 to 1.5 inches across. Titmice will line the cavity with soft materials like grass, moss, feathers, and fur.
How Many Eggs Do Titmice Lay?
Clutch size for titmice is typically:
- 5-8 eggs
- White or cream colored
- Incubated by female for 13-17 days
- Young fledge in about 16-21 days
Both parents help build the nest, incubate eggs, and feed the young. Titmice may raise 2-3 broods per mating season.
What is Titmouse Bird Behavior Like?
Titmouse birds display some interesting behaviors and adaptations:
- Active foragers – Constantly scanning leaves and branches for insects and other prey.
- Acrobatic – Agile climbers and clamberers able to hang upside down.
- Social – Travel in mixed flocks with chickadees, nuthatches, etc.
- Vocal – Communicate with a variety of “chick-a-dee” alarm and contact calls.
- Caching food – Hide seeds and nuts in bark crevices for winter.
- Curious – Readily explore new foods, feeders, and habitats.
- Unafraid – Tolerant of human activity and will visit feeders.
The active, social nature of titmice makes them entertaining birds to have in your backyard. They add lively energy and their vocalizations help signal when predators or threats are near.
Are Titmice Aggressive at Feeders?
Titmouse birds are generally not aggressive feeder visitors. While they can be bold at feeders, they typically do not exclude other birds. Some key points on titmouse feeding behavior:
- They may sometimes chase off smaller birds from feeders.
- They tend to take turns politely at feeding ports.
- They will yield space to larger, more aggressive birds.
- They often flock with chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers at feeders.
- They prefer to eat high up in trees or hang from feeder perches.
Providing ample, dispersed feeder space and food reduces competition. Offering small feeder ports and tubes allows accessibility for small birds. Overall, titmice coexist fairly peacefully with other feeder birds.
Do Titmice Make Good Pets?
While titmice are very active and engaging birds, they do not generally make good pets. Reasons titmice are not well-suited as pets include:
- Extremely energetic and prefer constant activity.
- Need a large enclosure with ample space to fly.
- Social and should be kept in pairs at minimum.
- Require specific diet and feeding.
- Prone to stress and injury in confinement.
- Wild-caught adults do not adapt well to captivity.
- Captive bred babies still require expertise and proper facilities.
Keeping titmice is also regulated. In the U.S. a special permit is required to keep any native songbird species. Overall titmice are challenging pets suited only for avian experts. They are best enjoyed outside their natural habitats.
Conclusion
Attracting titmice to your yard or garden can be easily accomplished by providing their preferred foods, feeder styles, and habitat features. Once present, their active antics and vocalizations provide endless entertainment. Titmice are lively birds that thrive at backyard feeders and in landscaping that caters to their needs. With a little effort, these acrobatic, energetic songbirds can become long-term residents.