BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE GALLERY
(Baeolophus atricristatus)

eBird offers this description of the Black-crested Titmouse:  Restricted to brushy oak woodlands in Texas and northeastern Mexico. Gray overall with paler underparts, orangey sides, and distinctive black crest. Visits feeders.  A bird of Texas and northeastern Mexico, the Black-crested Titmouse is common in oak woods and towns. It was once considered a subspecies of the Tufted Titmouse, and the two species are very similar in appearance, voice, and habits.

I have seen this distinctive little bird almost daily at MBY feeder, and have seen it at the feeders at Scout Pond and the Old Barn at Warbler Woods.  A cute and energetic little bird!

Saw this Black-crested Titmouse at the Old Barn in Warbler Woods on May 8, 2020.
Black-crested Titmouse at the Scout Pond Feeder, May 8, 2020.
Black-crested Titmouse at MBY feeder on May 12, 2020.


“Cool Facts” About the Black-crested Titmouse From All About Birds…

  • The Black-crested Titmouse hybridizes with the Tufted Titmouse where their ranges overlap in central Texas. They were considered the same species for a while, but they are distinct genetically and vocally.
  • Differences in mitochondrial DNA suggest that the Black-crested Titmouse and Tufted Titmouse diverged about 250,000 years ago.
  • The oldest known Black-crested Titmouse was at least 5 years, 1 month old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Texas.