I have a pair of Tufted Titmouse in a gourd

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I saw them about 3 times, but never could tell if they lived in the gourd. Yesterday I saw the female go into the gourd, seemed to be feeding already, and today I saw the male enter. They were hard to find, they are on the backside of the gourd rack, and I seldom watch that area. They are very shy, and sneak into the gourd in a hurry.

Tickled to have them, there seems to be no interaction between them and the martins.

[Louise Chambers]

Emil,

We had them use a bluebird box one year, and enjoyed them. Wish they would nest with us again! They are charming birds.

[Peggy Riley]

They are so cute. Take a look at the little ones, they are just big black eyes looking at you! If you have a dog you'll find the nest lined with hair. We have a white shepherd and I watch them pick his hair out of the rug on the porch.

[carlymac]

I have a pair nesting in a bluebird box this year...

Their nest is full of animal hair, leaves and moss...lot's of moss. The mother bird covers her eggs with leaves when she sneaks out.

You'll find the 3-5 eggs to be pinkish with cinnamon colored speckles. bout the size of a tree swallow's egg

Titmouses or titmice (???) are great little birds to have around...they are like little grey shadows.

[tcg]

I too have a pair with three or four little ones in a bluebird box this year. They have been great fun to watch. They don't seem very shy around me. They just go about their business whether I'm there or not.

I read on allaboutbirds.org that tufted titmice hoard food by carrying seeds one at a time and stashing them in the bark of trees. Earlier this week I hung out a woodpecker brick and have noticed the titmouse making numerous trips from the brick to a big birch tree so I guess maybe that's what it is doing.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Thanks everyone for the info. I went to check the nest about noon, and they do have babies. The babies are so tiny, we decided not to count them or disturb them. And yes, they did line the nest with something black, it may be dog hair from our black labs.

After I raised the housing, the martins returned first, and then about 3 min later, the female titmouse rushed into the gourd, stayed there a couple minutes, and left again. It is so nice to have something thats worth keeping besides sparrows sneaking into the gourds. I did see the martins try to chase away a sparrow, it wouldn't leave so my airrifle took care of it.

we have seen the titmouse come to our bird feeder, and have seen them on the back porch, so they have been around for several years.

[Chriscreole]

Thats funny, using dog hair, they would have a mansion here, my Jack russell sheds so bad when she gets up from laying down, it looks like she is still there, just a pile of hair,

[Chriscreole]

Thats funny, using dog hair, they would have a mansion here, my Jack russell sheds so bad when she gets up from laying down, it looks like she is sqtill there, just a pile of hair,

[Louise Chambers]

I found a photo of one we took when John was banding them, about 9 days old - so tiny! In this area, we have the Black-crested Titmouse rather than the Tufted Titmouse.

[Peggy Riley]

Louise we are lucky to have both the Black-crested and the Tuffed here. I just love watching them.

[Chuck4]

Hi Emil, I hope you don't mind me sharing a couple of shots that I took of two Tufted Titmice that hang out in my yard.

Just for you sir:

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Those photos are so clear, you must have a good camera! I am positive that I do have them now, I like those little birds

[Peggy Riley]

Chuck those are excellent pictures!

Peggy

[CraigMo.]

Their song is beautiful also