Black-crested Titmouse

Taxobox
name = Black-crested Titmouse


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Paridae
genus = "Baeolophus"
species = "B. atricristatus"
binomial = "Baeolophus atricristatus"
binomial_authority = Cassin, 1850
subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
subdivision =
* "B. a. atricristatus"
* "B. a. paloduro"
* "B. a. sennetti"The Black-crested Titmouse, "Baeolophus atricristatus" (also known as the Mexican Titmouse), is a small songbird, a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. Once considered a subspecies of the Tufted Titmouse ("B. bicolor"), it is now recognized as a separate species [http://www.aou.org/checklist/Suppl43.pdf 43rd Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds] . It is native to southern Texas, Oklahoma, and east-central Mexico.

The bird is 5.5 to 6 inches long, with rusty flanks, gray upperparts, and a whitish belly. The male has a long, dark black crest that is usually erect, while the female's crest is not as dark. It is common wherever trees grow, whether they are deciduous, heavy timber, or urban shade trees. Its call "peter, peter, peter" is similar to that of the Tufted Titmouse, but shorter. Its diet consists of berries, nuts, spiders, insects, and insect eggs.

The Black-crested Titmouse nests in tree cavities, telephone poles, fence posts, and bird boxes. The eggs, four to seven of which are laid in March or April, are white with reddish-brown spots.

References

* Terres, John K. & National Audubon Society (1991): "The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds". Wings Books, New York. Reprint of 1980 edition. ISBN 0-517-03288-0

Notes

External links

* [http://www.ejphoto.com/black_crested_titmouse_page.htm Black-crested Titmouse photos]