A small grayish-brown titmouse with prominent crest. Endemic to California oak woodlands.

Also called: Plain Titmouse

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 9–17 cm (3.5–6.7 in); wingspan 15–25 cm
Weight6–24 g
LifespanWild 2–11 years
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParidae

§ Encyclopedia

The oak titmouse is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. The American Ornithologists' Union split the plain titmouse into the oak titmouse and the juniper titmouse in 1996, due to distinct differences in song, preferred habitat, and genetic makeup.

Source: Wikipedia — Oak titmouse Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small, plain grayish-brown titmouse with a short pointed crest and a plain face; very drab overall.

Similar species. Juniper Titmouse is essentially identical and separated by range and habitat (juniper woodland to the east); the two were once lumped as 'Plain Titmouse'.

Voice. A repeated, whistled 'peter-peter' and varied scolding notes.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, seeds, occasional fruits; caches food in fall.

Behavior. A plain titmouse of California oak woodland; pairs defend year-round territories and the species is a quiet but constant presence in the oaks.

§ Range

California, Baja California

§ Habitat

Oak woodlands

§ Threats

Oak woodland loss, sudden oak death disease.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the oak titmouse is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support California oak woodland conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List