Black-crested titmouse

The black-crested titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) (also known as the Mexican titmouse), is a small songbird, a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. Once considered a subspecies of the tufted titmouse (B. bicolor), it was recognized as a separate species[2] in 2002. It is native to southern Texas, Oklahoma, and east-central Mexico. Vagrants have been seen as far north and east as St. Louis, Missouri.

Black-crested titmouse in Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Black-crested titmouse
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Baeolophus
Species:
B. atricristatus
Binomial name
Baeolophus atricristatus
Cassin, 1850
Subspecies
  • B. a. atricristatus
  • B. a. paloduro
  • B. a. sennetti
Range of 'Baeolophus atricristatus

The bird is 5.5 to 6.0 in (14 to 15 cm) long, with rusty flanks, gray upperparts, and a whitish belly. The male has a long, dark black crest that is usually erect, while the female's crest is not as dark. It is common wherever trees grow, whether they are deciduous, heavy timber, or urban shade trees. Its call peter, peter, peter is similar to that of the tufted titmouse, but shorter. Its diet consists of berries, nuts, spiders, insects, and insect eggs.

The black-crested titmouse nests in tree cavities, telephone poles, fence posts, and bird boxes. The eggs, four to seven of which are laid in March or April, are white with reddish-brown spots.[3]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Baeolophus atricristatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "43rd Supplement". American Ornithological Society. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  3. Terres, John K. & National Audubon Society (1991): The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Wings Books, New York. Reprint of 1980 edition. ISBN 0-517-03288-0
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