Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 2.8–3.1 in
7–8 cm - Weight
- 0.1–0.2 oz
4–6 g
Other Names
- Mésange buissonniere (French)
- Sastrecillo (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Bushtit is the only member of its family in the Americas; seven other species are found in Eurasia. All have similar complex hanging nests.
- The Bushtit often has helpers at the nest, birds other than the parental pair that feed nestlings.
- All family members sleep together in the complex nest during breeding, but they leave it after the young fledge, and sleep on branches.
Habitat
Scrub
- Found in a variety of habitats, ranging from forested mountain to arid brush.
- Prefers open mixed woodland with some evergreens or shrubby understory.
- Common in suburban areas.
Food
Insects
Small insects and spiders.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 4–10 eggs
- Egg Description
- White and smooth.
- Condition at Hatching
- Naked and helpless.
Nest Description
Elaborate hanging gourd-shaped nest (15-30 cm, 6-12 in) with small, circular, side-facing hooded entrance near top. Built of spider webs and plant material, insulated with feathers, fur, or downy plant matter.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Foliage Gleaner
Gleans insects off foliage. Often hangs upside down. Uses one foot to bend back foliage to expose middle of clumps.Huddle together on branches in cold weather.
Conservation
Least Concern
Adapts well to suburbs. Range slowly expanding north and west.
Credits
- Sloane, S. A. 2001. Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus). In The Birds of North America, No. 598 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.