The Bushtit is a small, colorful songbird that is a common sight in gardens and woodlands across North America. With its cheerful chirping, it’s easy to see why they are so popular with bird watchers.
The scientific name for the Bushtit is Psaltriparus minimus, which comes from the Latin word “parus” meaning titmouse. These small birds are usually grey or brown in color, with white cheeks and black eyes. They measure between three and four inches in length, and weigh only about seven grams.
Bushtits feed minly on small insects such as aphids, beetles, caterpillars and spiders. They use their sharp beaks to catch their prey while flitting through the air at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour!
Their nests are made of spider webs and plant material woven into a stretchy sac that hangs from tree branches or shrubs. The nests can be up to a foot below the anchor point and have an entrance hole near the top of it. The Bushtits will even sit inside the nest while it is still under construction!
Bushtits can be hard to attract to bird feeders because they prefer their natural diet of insects over seeds or nuts. To make your garden more inviting for them, you should plant native shrubs and small trees that provide plenty of insect prey for them to feed on.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Bushtit in your garden or nearby woodlands, you’ll be rewarded with its delightful chirping song that sounds like “Tch-tch-tch-churrrrrr”! So keep your eyes peeled – these beautiful little birds may just be passing through!
The Origin of the Name ‘Bushtit’
The Bushtit is a small, lively bird that gets its name from its habit of living in bushes and shrubs. It has a unique appearance with a gray head, chestnut back and white underparts. Its small size, about the size of a sparrow, and its tiny black bill make it easily identifiable. The Bushtit’s scientific name is Psaltriparus minimus, wich comes from the Latin term parus meaning “titmouse” and the Greek word psaltri meaning “bush” or “shrub.” This name accurately describes the bird’s behavior as it can often be seen hopping around in low-growing vegetation such as bushes and shrubs.
Source: aba.org
What Do Bushtit Birds Consume?
Bushtits are insectivorous birds, meaning they primarily feed on small insects. They also feed on spiders, mites, and other small arthropods. Bushtit birds can be hard to attract to feeders, but you can make your yard inviting to them by planting native shrubs and small trees. These will provide shelter and a source of food for the Bushtits. Additionally, you can hang mealworms or suet near thse plants or trees to help attract them.
Nesting Habits of Bushtits
A Bushtit nest is a small, cup-shaped structure constructed by Bushtits (a small North American bird species) and typically found hanging from thin branches of trees or shrubs. The nest is constructed with a combination of spider webs and plant material, and typically hangs anywhere from 0 – 12 inches below its anchor point. It consists of an outer layer which is woven together to form a stretchy sac, while the inner layer consists of softer materials such as plant down or fur. A small hole near the top of the nest alows easy access for the adult birds to enter and exit. Inside the nest bowl, layers of moss and fur are used to line it and provide insulation for the eggs and chicks.
Appearance of the Bushtit
Bushtits are small birds with a distinctive brown-and-gray plumage. The upperparts of their bodies are slightly darker than the lowerparts, and they have brown-gray heads and gray wings. Males in certain parts of the range have a blackish face mask, which prvides a stark contrast to the lighter colors of the rest of their body. Overall, Bushtits have plain but attractive coloration that makes them easy to identify.
The Sound of a Bushtit
Bushtits make a variety of contact calls including soft twitters, chips, and a long, drawn-out series of quiet notes when several individuals are gathered together. They are generally considered to be relatively quiet birds and their sounds can be hard to detect as they are often quite low in volume.
Source: eastsideaudubon.org
Number of Eggs Laid by a Bushtit
A Bushtit typically lays six eggs. Both the male and female take turns in incubating them. Depending on the season, a pair may raise two separate broods of chicks, with the occasional help of adult males which are referred to as “supernumeraries”.
Hatching Time for Bushtit Eggs
Bushtit eggs typically take around 12 days to hatch. The incubation period is shared between both parents, who will sleep in the nest at night. After hatching, the young are fed and brooded by both parents for another 14-15 days before they leave the nest.
Source: audubon.org
Are Bushtits Related to Chickadees?
No, Bushtits are not related to chickadees. Recent genetic research has found that Bushtits are more closely related to gnatcatchers and swallows than they are to chickadees. They make up the only family of birds in the Long-tailed Tit family found in the New World. While Bushtits and chickadees may look similar, they are two enirely different bird species.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) is a small bird found in the western United States and western Canada. They eat mostly small insects and build ther nests using spider webs and plant material. To attract these birds to your yard, you should consider planting native shrubs and small trees. With patience and dedication, you can enjoy the sight of these amazing birds in your own backyard.
