Adult

Description

Size:  5.25”

Plumage/Description:  Male and female plumage similar.  Black cap, bold white eye stripe, with a black line through the eye, black throat, and white cheek that extends back to the nape.  Breast is a pale off-white color, back, wings and tail are gray.

Habitat:   Residential, Pinyon/Juniper, Ponderosa/Coniferous

Time of year:  Year-round

Relative Abundance:  Common in proper habitat

Behavior:   An active foliage gleaner as it searches for insects in trees and shrubs.  Usually seen in pairs, fairly vocal, which helps locate it.  In winter months will often join a ‘mixed’ flock of small song birds including bushtits, titmice, kinglets, and nuthatches.  At feeders has the unique habit of grabbing one seed, flying away, cracking open the shell, then flying back to the feeder to grab another seed before flying away again.

Diet:   Insects, berries, seeds, nuts, suet

Similar species:  Bridled Titmouse

Best Sites:  Goldwater Lake, Lynx Lake, Groom Creek