7 Simple Tricks to Attract a Tufted Titmouse – And Turn Your Backyard Into a Bird Haven
There is much you can do to entice these cute crested songbirds – discover what ornithology experts suggest
Watching tufted titmouse antics is a joy, whether they're hopping around, hanging upside down or masterfully hovering for bugs. This adorable avian has been steadily moving its habitat northward into Canada in recent years, so those in Toronto may now see more tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor) than those in Tampa.
While parts of Florida may miss out, other eastern residents (and those in the south west in winter) can expect to see this cute crested little bird foraging for food, perching with its feathered friends or scouting for nest materials in their gardens.
Article continues below1. Grow Tall Native Trees That Provide A Canopy
Most, if not all, small birds perch in trees, but the tufted titmouse especially likes habitats with tall, dense deciduous tree canopies. It's because these lofty domains offer a banquet of bugs, as well as space for these silver songbirds to rest and nest.
The Tufted Titmouse prefers woodlands, groves and areas with lots of trees and understory shrubs,' says Marlene Pantin, Plants for Birds Senior Program Manager at the National Audubon Society. 'Where possible, plant oak trees that host hundreds of caterpillar species as these provide essential food for Titmice and their chicks.'
'Oaks are great as they provide acorns and host a large number of invertebrates such as spiders, weevils and other beetles, ants, and caterpillars, which are all part of the titmouse’s diet,' explains Yuka Wu, Project Assistant for Project FeederWatch, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
'Birches are also a good way to attract titmice, as they are home to lots of caterpillar species and are often drilled with cavities that titmice can nest in. Other trees that titmice frequently forage on include hickories, sweetgum, and sugarberry.'
Like bluebirds, tufted titmice are secondary cavity nesters, so they nest in existing hollows, such as woodpecker holes. 'A few trees that titmice are known to nest in include American elm, maples, and beeches,' adds Yuka Wu.
As the proverb goes, the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is now. Start with saplings like this native white oak tree from Nature Hill's. It's hardy in zones 3-9 but pick the right spot, it can reach 50-80 feet tall.
Yuka Wu is a project assistant for Project FeederWatch, a participatory science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that monitors winter bird populations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She joined Team FeederWatch in October after graduating from UCLA where she studied Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, and became immersed in the world of birds.
Marlene Pantin supports the Audubon network in advocacy, municipal engagement, and building strategic partnerships to advance the Plants for Birds program and create bird-friendly communities across the country. When she is not working she can also be found volunteering and managing community and corporate volunteers in protecting and preserving local parks and open spaces.
2. Provide Natural Nesting Materials
As well as providing bugs and berries to forage on, and cavities to nest in, native trees – along with other plants and garden debris – offer up nesting materials for titmice too. Ensuring your yard is naturally rich in these items will encourage and support these cute creatures to nest and breed.
'Titmice construct their nests using dry grass, bark, moss, and leaves, and line them with soft materials such as hair and fur,' says Yuka Wu. 'During the breeding season, typically lasting from April through mid-July, you can support titmice by making sure your yard offers the resources that they might need for nesting.'
As charming as it is to see titmice snatching fur from Fido, be mindful if pets have just been dowsed in flea or tick treatments. Many commonly used topical insecticides are highly toxic to wild birds.
A study by the University of Sussex in the UK, found contaminated fur in 100% of nests surveyed, which causes unhatched eggs and chick mortality.
Advice from Songbird Survival is, if you use topical insecticide treatments on dogs and cats, only brush them indoors, and put the loose fur in the garbage, rather than leaving it outside for nest making. Neem oil is also a safer natural flea repellent.
However, leaving moss, leaves and natural garden debris for titmice and other songbirds to collect as nesting materials will support and encourage them during breeding season.
This sugar maple from Nature Hill's has spectacular foliage, especially in the fall, it attracts butterflies and will thrive in zones 3-8. So would provide food and nesting materials for birds to forage.
3. Put Up A Nest Box
Tufted titmice are cavity nesters – and like bluebirds – are unable to excavate their own nest holes. So if they can't find suitable spaces, like hollows made by woodpeckers, in their natural habitat, these charming chirrupers will use a bird box.
If you would like to see them nesting in your yard, ideally put bird houses up before the breeding season (April to July). These birds like to scope out potential sites before settling in.
'If you decide to set up a nest box, place it 5-15 feet above ground ideally in an area with mature trees, faced away from prevailing wind,' explains Yuka Wu.
'It should have an entrance diameter of 1 ¼ inches to prevent predators. If you would like to build your own titmouse nest box, NestWatch has a structure plan with specific dimensions and details about nest box constructions.'
This cottage-style bird box from Lowe's has the requisite 1.25" opening to keep tufted titmice and their young safe.
4. Hang Feeders
As well as feeding on bugs and invertebrates like caterpillars, snails and spiders, these little silver songbirds will also eat seeds, nuts and suet. So they are good candidates for a bird feeder. In fact, during the winter, they will visit and hoard stores of seed.
'During the colder months, tufted titmice, as well as many other birds, rely on foods with high fat content to survive the cold,' explains Yuka Wu. 'If you have feeders, black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet are good resources for them.
'Titmice will visit most feeder types, including large and small hoppers, large and small tube feeders, suet cages, and platform feeders.'
'Titmice will readily visit bird feeders, often carrying away sunflower seeds one at a time,' says Marlene. 'Remember that it’s important to clean feeders regularly to prevent disease.'
This tube feeder from Ace Hardware has a metal cage around it, so small songbirds like titmice can access it, while larger birds and predators cannot. Fill it with this Black oil sunflower seed from Ace Hardware, a favorite for many songbirds.
5. Grow Your Own Bird Food
Whilst bird feeders are helpful when natural food sources are scarce, the best way for tufted titmice to sustain themselves is on their natural diet. Growing native flowers that produce the seed, or host the bugs, they eat, such as sunflowers, is another way to lure these cute crested creatures to your yard.
If sunflowers aren't your preferred plant, or native to your region, there are others that will offer up a seed, berry or bug supper.
'Planting seed-producing perennials is a good way to attract tufted titmice to your garden,' says Yuka Wu. 'New England asters are a great option, as are coneflowers.'
Of course, plants like milkweed where Monarch butterflies lay their eggs, will be rich in caterpillars, which these tuneful songbirds, and others, feed their young.
'Insects make up most of the titmouse diet,' says Marlene. 'Caterpillars are important in the summer, but these birds will also eat wasps, beetles, and bees, as well as seeds, nuts, berries and small fruits, especially in the winter.'
If this showy milkweed from Burpee is native to your region, Monarch's will love it and lay their larvae, providing food for tufted titmice – and hopefully some butterflies.
Birds and butterflies will flock to this purple dome aster from Burpee too.
6. A Shallow Bird Bath
Bird baths are an obligatory part of any avian attraction arsenal. Water is vital for all life, and can be scarce for songbirds in cities and suburbs. To see more tufted titmice in your yard, installing a bird bath or two, will be a literal life saver.
'Shallow bird baths will be frequented by titmice,' says Yuka Wu. 'In winter and spring, in snowy areas, water can be a difficult resource to find, so those that are heated so the water is kept from freezing, are a good option. Antifreeze should never be added to bird baths, as it is poisonous for birds.
'When setting up feeders and bird baths, it’s also important that there are shrubs or trees nearby that titmice and other songbirds can escape to when predators are around.'
This ceramic bird bath from Lowe's has a beautiful mineral glaze, is weather-resistant and has a shallow bowl suitable for tufted titmice and other small songbirds.
Still have snow in your zone? This bird bath warmer from Ace Hardware will keep the water from freezing.
7. A Pesticide-Free Landscape
Growing the tufted titmice' favorite flowers, having mature trees, planting saplings, hanging feeders and installing a bird bath will all help to lure these acrobatic avians to your yard. However, regular or indiscriminate pesticide use, can quickly undo your work and cause harm.
'Using pesticides to eliminate unwanted insects will also affect the beneficial insects that are on your property; not just the insects you find undesirable,' says Jen McGuinness, author, Bird-Friendly Gardens. 'Fewer native insects available on a property means less food for songbirds.
'An example is when gardens are sprayed to remove mosquitoes. The spray will not target just the mosquito, but will detrimentally affect many other insects as well, such as caterpillars which will become butterflies.
'Pesticides do not discriminate; they will often kill all species of caterpillars, larvae, and insects.'
Attracting titmice and other birds that eat insects and invertebrates to your yard is a great way to manage pests, including slugs and snails. Alternatively, try companion planting and other natural pest control methods.
Based in Connecticut, Jen McGuinness is a garden writer, photographer and author of Bird-Friendly Gardening from Cool Springs Press. She is also founder of the blog, FrauZinnia and champions organic and wildlife-friendly gardening. She holds a Home Horticulture Certificate from the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension and is a product tester for plant nurseries.
With its big black eyes, cute crest and charming antics, the tufted titmouse is particularly appealing.
Although, whatever wildlife garden ideas you implement to attract this adorable avian will generally support and encourage other songbirds, butterflies and beneficial bugs too, leading to a healthier habit for them and for you and your family.
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