What Do Titmice Eat?

Most titmice eat insects, spiders, snails, various berries, acorns, and seeds. There are five species of titmice in North America: Black-crested Titmouse, Juniper Titmouse, Oak Titmouse, Bridled Titmouse, and Tufted Titmouse. The most widely distributed and only titmouse in mid-Michigan is the Tufted Titmouse. Found foraging in trees, often with flocks of chickadees, most Tufted Titmice live their entire life within a few miles of their birthplace.

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor

Both males and females have white undersides, gray backs, rusty-brown sides, pointed crests on their heads, and large dark eyes. The Tufted Titmouse is very appealing visitor to the feeder. They are attracted mainly to feeders that offer nuts or sunflower seeds. They are active birds often seen flitting about in trees and hanging upside down while searching beneath twigs for insects. They are active during the daytime and do not migrate extensively, remaining in residence throughout the winter.

They are fairly confident birds and can be trained to come at the sound of human voices and take food from their hands, though not as easily as their cousins, the black-capped chickadees. Males are dominant over females and they form pairs that last until death.