# Black-crested Titmouse (*Baeolophus atricristatus*) The Black-crested Titmouse is a small, cheerful bird with a black crest on its head. It loves to hop around trees and sing sweet songs, making it a delightful sight in the forest. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Black-crested Titmouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black-crested_Titmouse_in_Santa_Ana_National_Wildlife_Refuge.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dan Pancamo, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-crested_Titmouse_in_Santa_Ana_National_Wildlife_Refuge.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-crested Titmouse has a striking black crest that stands up sharply on its gray head. Its body is mostly gray with a white belly, and it has large, dark eyes. This bird is easily identified by its unique black crest, differentiating it from similar titmice. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Paridae - **Genus:** Baeolophus ## Interesting facts - Black-crested Titmice can hang completely upside down to snag tricky insects! - Their calls are so varied, they can sound like different birds to trick predators! - These brave birds sometimes peck at snakes or other predators to scare them away! - They can quickly remember where they stashed food, like a hidden treasure map! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Forager:** Black-crested Titmouse can cling to twigs upside down because this helps them find insects hidden from view. - **Food Cacher:** Black-crested Titmouse has a strong memory that helps them hide and retrieve seeds and insects for later. - **Vocal Communicator:** Black-crested Titmouse can make many different sounds to warn others of danger or find a mate. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-15 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.014-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days ## Diet & Feeding This busy bird enjoys a mix of tiny insects and spiders, along with tasty seeds, nuts, and berries! - **Age differences:** Adults and young primarily eat insects during breeding season for protein, shifting to more seeds/nuts in winter. - **Primary Foods:** caterpillars, spiders, beetles, acorns, pecans, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Plateau Live Oak (*Quercus fusiformis*) — Provides acorns, insects, and crucial nesting sites. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A swift aerial predator of small birds like the titmouse. - **Hunts:** Eastern Tent Caterpillar (*Malacosoma americanum*) — Feeds on these larvae, especially during breeding season. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-crested Titmouse? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-crested Titmouse? 13-15 cm ### What is Black-crested Titmouse's wingspan? 20-25 cm ### How much does Black-crested Titmouse weigh? 0.014-0.02 kg ### How long does Black-crested Titmouse live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Black-crested Titmouse move? 35 km/h ### What does Black-crested Titmouse eat? This busy bird enjoys a mix of tiny insects and spiders, along with tasty seeds, nuts, and berries! ### Where is Black-crested Titmouse usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo - [San Antonio Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Bracken Cave](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bracken-cave) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark - [Lake Brownwood State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-brownwood-state-park) — Texas, US · State Park - [Natural Bridge Caverns](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-caverns) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Black-crested Titmouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-crested-titmouse) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black-crested Titmouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crested-titmouse)