The tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is a small North American songbird in the family Paridae, the tits and chickadees. Native to eastern North America, it inhabits deciduous and mixed woodland as well as parks, gardens and suburban areas, and has expanded its range northwards in recent decades. The species has a gray crest, black forehead, pale underside and rust-colored flanks, with a song usually described as a whistled peter-peter-peter. The tufted titmouse's diet includes insects, seeds, berries and nuts, and it is a regular visitor to bird feeders, sometimes storing food for later use. It nests in tree cavities or nest boxes lined with soft materials, sometimes including hair taken from live mammals. Family groups may remain together beyond the breeding season, with older offspring occasionally helping to raise younger siblings. It is currently listed as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Photographer: Rhododendrites

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