# Bushtit (*Psaltriparus minimus*) Bushtits are tiny, cheerful birds that love to flit around in trees and bushes. They often travel in little groups, making sweet, chirpy sounds as they go! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 23 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Bushtit](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Psaltriparus_minimus_-Chilliwack%252C_British_Columbia%252C_Canada_-male-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alex Critch, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psaltriparus_minimus_-Chilliwack%252C_British_Columbia%252C_Canada_-male-8.jpg) ## Appearance The Bushtit is a tiny, grayish-brown bird with a long tail that makes it look like a flying lollipop. It has a pale belly and a short, stubby bill. Its small size and constant movement distinguish it. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Aegithalidae - **Genus:** Psaltriparus ## Interesting facts - A Bushtit's tiny egg is smaller than a jelly bean! - Bushtit families build elaborate hanging nests woven with thousands of pieces of spider silk! - Bushtits are so light, they weigh less than two pennies! - These tiny birds often huddle together in large groups at night to stay super warm! ## Special abilities - **Elastic Nest Builder:** Bushtit has an amazing, stretchy nest woven from spider silk that helps it expand as the baby birds grow. - **Social Scout:** Bushtit can forage in large, chattering flocks that helps them find food and spot predators more easily. - **Acrobatic Feeder:** Bushtit can hang upside down from branches and leaves because of their nimble feet, helping them reach hidden insects. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-11 cm - **Wingspan:** 12-16 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.006 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-4 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-10 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny birds mostly munch on small insects and spiders, sometimes enjoying berries too! - **Primary Foods:** Aphids, Caterpillars, Spiders, Insect eggs, Scale insects, Small berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — Hunts adult Bushtits. - **Eaten by:** [California Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-scrub-jay) (*Aphelocoma californica*) — Preys on Bushtit eggs and nestlings. - **Eaten by:** [Western Screech-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-screech-owl) (*Megascops kennicottii*) — Nocturnal predator of small birds. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [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. - [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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bushtit? 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 Bushtit? 8-11 cm ### What is Bushtit's wingspan? 12-16 cm ### How much does Bushtit weigh? 0.005-0.006 kg ### How long does Bushtit live? 2-4 years ### How fast can Bushtit move? 35 km/h ### What does Bushtit eat? These tiny birds mostly munch on small insects and spiders, sometimes enjoying berries too! ### Where is Bushtit usually found? Urban areas ## Where to spot - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Bloedel Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloedel-reserve) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Desert Garden Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-garden-conservatory) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Discovery Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/discovery-park) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Old Town Albuquerque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-albuquerque) — New Mexico, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Bushtit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bushtit) ## 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: [Bushtit: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bushtit)