Bridled Titmouse

Overview

The Bridled Titmouse is a distinctive small titmouse of the southwestern borderlands, named for the black-and-white harness-like pattern across its face and crest. It favors oak and pine-oak woodland in mountain canyons of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico.

• Only North American titmouse with a strongly patterned face
• Tied closely to oak and pine-oak canyon woodland
• Non-migratory resident of the borderlands region

Feather Identification

Bridled Titmouse feathers show more facial patterning than any other North American titmouse.

• Crest feathers: Gray with black tips forming a two-toned peaked crest
• Face feathers: Bold black-and-white striping forming a bridle-like pattern around the eye and crest
• Throat feathers: Small black bib beneath the chin
• Body feathers: Plain gray above, whitish-gray below, without streaking
• The black-and-white striped face and bib are diagnostic and separate shed Bridled Titmouse feathers from the plainer-faced Juniper or Oak Titmouse

Plumage, Sex & Age Differences

Males and females look alike, both showing the same striking facial pattern, gray crest with dark tips, and small black throat patch. Juveniles show a duller, less defined facial pattern that sharpens after the first molt. A single complete molt takes place after the breeding season.

Habitat & Range

Bridled Titmice are non-migratory residents of oak, pine-oak, and sycamore canyon woodlands in the mountains of southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and much of Mexico. They generally remain at mid-elevations year-round, closely associated with oak-dominated woodland.

Behavior, Voice & Field Notes

Bridled Titmice forage actively and acrobatically through oak canopy for insects and seeds, often in small flocks with other woodland songbirds. Their call is a scolding, chickadee-like chatter, and their song is a simple whistled series. They nest in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes in oaks or sycamores.