Black-crested Titmouse
Baeolophus atricristatus
They are known to pluck hair from living mammals, including humans, to line their nests for insulation.
- Scientific name
- Baeolophus atricristatus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Paridae › Baeolophus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Open oak-juniper woodlands, mesquite brushlands, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Primarily insects like caterpillars and beetles; also consumes seeds, acorns, and berries.
- Range
- Texas, Oklahoma, Northeastern Mexico
- Size
- 14-15 cm in length with a wingspan of approximately 23 cm.
- Lifespan
- 2 to 5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation and predation by domestic cats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These curious birds are safe to observe and often visit backyard feeders. Maintain a respectful distance to avoid disruption of their foraging.
The black-crested titmouse or Mexican titmouse ( Baeolophus atricristatus ), is 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 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.
Photo: Sam Kieschnick, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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