Tufted Titmouse

These pictures don't even capture this cute cheerful clown like bird. They will not sit still long enough to get a good picture. Especially in the Spring when you are outside longer you can hear their lively sound coming from a distance, it sounds like "peter-peter-peter." They are acrobatic and fast at the feeders, snatching a seed and then taking off. Also known for hiding some food in tree bark and burying some in the ground. Like the Chickadee a Titmouse can be hand-fed and are always curious about everything around them. They flock to the feeders along with the chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Which is so true, because at one tree in my yard, those are the same birds there all day. In the summer the Titmice will eat insects, snails and spiders, then in the winter months, they eat fruits, seeds and nuts. A cavity nester, who sometimes will nest in a box, they fill their nests with hair, feathers, fur and even snakeskin. They are known to collect hair from living animals. SO TRUE......this past spring, I witnessed one coming all day and landing on Dexter the Donkey, and pulling out his hair. The only reason I didn't get a good picture was because I didn't know how to use my new camera! So this coming spring I will be hanging out with the donkey to try and get a good shot. They also mate for life.