because I’m twelve and still like saying “titmouse!”
Reminds me of Bentley's Book of Birds, which has, amongst all the ornithology, one entry for a "crested tit" which is to be found in the bosom of a marchioness...
Titmeese will eat out of your hand if properly acclimated.
I used to live within reasonable driving distance of a park that had a nature area. Some volunteer had taught some of the birds to eat out of one's hand and the birds passed the knowledge on. Equipped with some sunflower seed, one could find oneself with one or more of the following species in the hand: Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and, if one was supremely lucky, Downy Woodpecker. [These species occur together in winter feeding flocks in SE Michigan, which is where this all happened.]
The chickadees in particular were very relaxed. They would land on whatever surface was available: bird book being consulted, binoculars [thank goodness for rainguards], one's hat, various portions of anatomy. They had were also organized. One almost never had more than one chickadee in one's hand at a time. On the other hand, one was glad to not be in charge of air traffic control.
I adore tufted titmice, which are much less common (at least at feeders) up here in Vermont. Every once in a while we'll see a pair or two at our feeder - did you know they mate for life? I'd love to see them nesting!
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Reminds me of Bentley's Book of Birds, which has, amongst all the ornithology, one entry for a "crested tit" which is to be found in the bosom of a marchioness...
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I used to live within reasonable driving distance of a park that had a nature area. Some volunteer had taught some of the birds to eat out of one's hand and the birds passed the knowledge on. Equipped with some sunflower seed, one could find oneself with one or more of the following species in the hand: Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and, if one was supremely lucky, Downy Woodpecker. [These species occur together in winter feeding flocks in SE Michigan, which is where this all happened.]
The chickadees in particular were very relaxed. They would land on whatever surface was available: bird book being consulted, binoculars [thank goodness for rainguards], one's hat, various portions of anatomy. They had were also organized. One almost never had more than one chickadee in one's hand at a time. On the other hand, one was glad to not be in charge of air traffic control.
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