Black Crested Titmouse (Parus bicolor) 6 1/2"
(Click on picture to enlarge)
© Walter
Bauer, San Antonio, Texas 2000
Field
Marks: The birds bearing the name titmouse are the only small
gray-backed birds with conspicuous crests. This is the only species in the
eastern parts of Texas. These gray-crested birds may be either, but look for a
small black patch immediately above bill in Tufted (black-crested has light or
brown patch).
Voice: A clear whistled chant such as:
peter, peter, peter or here, here, here, here; or other variants.
Where found: South tip of Ontario
south through the eastern United States to Gulf States.
Texas: Resident in the eastern half
west to Decatur, Fort Worth, Coleman, Austin, Central Coast (Rockport). At the
west edge of range (Fort Worth, Austin, Victoria, etc.) overlaps with the next
species and hybrids are quite frequent.
Habitat: Woodlands, shade trees, groves.
Nest: In a hole in the tree, post, iron pipe, bird box, etc. The eggs are usually 5-6 and are speckled.