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