A titmouse is a small gray bird approximately 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches with pale bellies and pinkish coloring at the sides. The word titmouse comes from the Icelandic word “tit” meaning “small” and the Anglo-saxon word “mase” meaning a kind of bird.
A titmouse look in trees for beetles, ants and other types of insects. They are also highly attracted to seed such as acorns, beechnuts, pecans, and tulip tree. These small birds are cavity nesters so they will build nests in nestboxes or birdhouses
In order to attract titmice to your backyard you should follow a certain protocol.
- Plant a berry-bearing shrub in your backyard. The will feast on bayberries, sumac, blueberries, and wild cherries.
- Fill your favorite bird feeder with sunflower seeds, peanuts, or suet.
- Let a few lamb’s-quarters or ragweed plants go to seed – these provide food in the winter for the titmouse.
- They love peanut butter! Smear peanut butter on the tops of your bird feeders and titmouse will abound.
Titmice are easy to attract to our backyards and enjoyable to watch. Happy Birding!
