Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 3.9 in
10 cm - Weight
- 0.4 oz
10 g
Other Names
- Mésange Arlequin (French)
- Herrelillo enmascarado (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- Unlike many members of its family, the Bridled Titmouse appears not to hide food for later use. The region of the brain related to memory of spatial location, the hippocampus, is small in this species compared with other species that frequently hide food.
- The Bridled Titmouse is the only North American member of its family that appears to have helpers at the nest regularly. The identity and sex of the extra birds attending nests is not yet known.
- The Bridled Titmouse closely resembles the Crested Tit of Eurasia. Genetic studies show, however, that it is closely related to the other North American titmice.
Habitat
Forest
Montane oak and mixed oak-pine-juniper woodlands. Also in some riparian habitats.
Food
Insects
Insects and acorns.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 4–8 eggs
- Egg Description
- White, unmarked.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless and naked.
Nest Description
Nests in cavities in trees; often in nestboxes. Nest is a cup of grass, cottonwood down, flowers, fur, and cocoons, lined with soft fibers.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Foliage Gleaner
Gleans insects from leaves and twigs. Hangs upside down to reach insects. Travels with mixed species foraging flocks. Holds food under feet to peck it.
Conservation
Least Concern
Limited range in United States makes populations there uncertain. In Mexico, it is vulnerable to the loss of oak woodlands, but the species is widespread.
Credits
- Nocedal, J., and M. S. Ficken. 1998. Bridled Titmouse (Baeolophus wollweberi).In The Birds of North America, No. 375 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.