Tufted titmouse - description, habitat, interesting facts

Today, even in urban areas there are a large number of different birds, many of which are wild. If earlier in the city you could see exclusively pigeons and sparrows, now now far from always the townspeople can determine what kind of bird they met on their way. Often, urban residents have a crested tit, which is prevalent mainly in rural areas.

Tufted Titmouse

The most common types of tits in our country

Before you determine which tits are located in Russia, you need to figure out what species of these birds generally exist. The most popular and common varieties are the following:

  1. Great tit. This type of bluefish is most common in the city. These birds are not at all afraid or shy of people, so they are happy to go to the city for food.
  2. Blue Tit. These tits, on the contrary, categorically ignore cities. Birds are migratory.
  3. Moscow. This variety of tits is also quite common in cities, however, not everyone understands that it is a tit, because its color is completely absent blue.
  4. Brown-headed gait. These birds also do not particularly like people, they try to avoid cities, and indeed they choose marshy places for life.
  5. Titmouse. This representative of birds loves tranquility and solitude, so it is almost impossible to meet them in the city. Mostly these birds live along the coasts of rivers.
  6. Remez. This bird can also be attributed to river species. However, with all this, this representative of the genus is also completely wild, therefore, also bypasses human settlements.

The appearance of a hohlushka tit

Crested tits are very compact birds that are even smaller than a sparrow in size. The maximum body length of these birds is 14 centimeters. The wingspan of these little tits is 21 centimeters. The body weight of the bird is quite small - only 14 grams maximum. The color of crested tits is quite interesting, in the upper part the feathers have a grayish and brown shade, and the bottom of the abdomen is mostly white, but not completely. Around the neck you can see a black strip, which smoothly turns into the same color of the throat. The main distinguishing feature of these birds is, of course, a noticeable crest with a sharp end and black and white spots.

Where do they live?

Earlier, the northern territory of Europe was a traditional habitat for crested tits. Today, these birds have also found their distribution in the middle territories of the Volga region and the Arkhangelsk region, in Bashkiria, in the eastern territories of the Caucasus, it is in these regions that the tits feel great.

Over the past few years, the distribution areas of these birds have expanded significantly. Today, crested tits can be found in other regions, mainly they occupy the area on which conifers grow. An interesting fact is that ornithologists found a crest even in Greece and Spain, although these were only isolated individuals.

The behavior and character of the crested tit

The behavior and character of the crested tit
Tufted titmouse is characterized by all the advantages and habits characteristic of birds of its genus. These are very active birds, which are constantly on the move, while they are very cheerful and daring, often participate in various quarrels and fights. Khokhlushka has a very courageous character, which is why she loves to climb.

Crested tits cannot be called great singers, since these abilities are not very developed. This may somewhat disappoint breeders trying to tame a titmouse. However, Khokhlushka may be interesting in their other habits. For example, in the mating season, males take such poses that the greatest feathered seducers can envy.

It is also unique that crested birds in winter easily combine with other bird species to make it easier to survive. As a rule, their companions are kings, poison frogs, pikas and Muscovites. Traveling with these birds takes place exclusively under the supervision of a motley woodpecker. This approach makes flying safer.

Khokhlushka - feathered lifeguard

Khokhlushka, just like Moscow, is a real nurse who cleans coniferous forests. The main advantage of these birds is that, even during the cold season, crested ones do not refuse insects and continue their search in the forest. They turn to grain feed only in extreme cases when insects cannot be found at all. It is worth noting that the search for insects and larvae takes a very long time for the birds, however, they do not proceed to the grain until they are completely starving. If you decide to have crested titmouse at home, you may have some difficulties with feeding, as the bird will need to be constantly given live food.

Winter difficulties

Parus cristatus
The worst time for crested tits is winter. This season, they come to eat almost everything that comes across, since it becomes almost impossible to find insects or their larvae. Serious cold weather has not yet occurred, Khokhlushka continue to search for livelihood, however, as soon as the temperature drops below -15 degrees, tits begin to agree to any food.

People who feed birds in winter often don’t know that birds can be given anything other than grain. However, you need to know exactly what it is possible to give the birds, so as not to poison them. The best option for additional nutrition can be unsalted lard, watermelon and pumpkin seeds, as well as raw sunflower seeds. Also, if you purchased coconut, do not throw out shells. In the winter, they can simply be hung on the street, titmouse happy to bite them. You need to know that bread, as well as millet, crested titmouses do not eat, so this food is best left for sparrows or pigeons. If there is absolutely nothing for the bluefish, then you can throw them raw bones or meat without fat.

Also, titmouses should build feeders for the winter period, they will help them protect themselves from frost. It is worth noting that in winter, titmouses happily visit the city, they are not afraid of a person and may even eat from his hands. You can build a feeder from improvised means, and to do this is not at all difficult. It is enough to take an empty clean 5 liter water bottle and cut a wide hole in the side. At the bottom of the bottle you need to sprinkle food for the titmouse, and tie it to the branch of a tree on the street by the neck. Place the feeder at a height of about 1-2 meters from the ground.

Do not forget that the titmouse is a very nimble bird. In winter, they can also fly between frames, in the window and enjoy food, which is often stored in the winter on the window or behind it. They gladly enjoy bacon, butter, sausage or cottage cheese. So, do not forget to clean the products.

Video: Tufted Titmouse (Parus cristatus)

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