Baeolophus bicolor – the tufted titmouse – is a small songbird native to the eastern half of the United States and a common bird on campus, especially during the winter months.
These small omnivores are less conspicuous than other birds seen on campus. Although their songs are sweet and their crests tufted, they don’t peacock around like other songbirds. Their neutral, bicolored bodies blend in with the winter flora.
The orthological community seemed to have missed this fact when naming this critter. This week, when the photo of the tufted titmouse came in, I expected to learn about something truly remarkable and foreign. Lo and behold, this chickadee is more benign than I anticipated.
These birds belong to the order Paridae, which are commonly referred to as “tits” across the pond and “chickadees” stateside. Entomologically speaking, “tit” refers to their small size, while “chickadee” mimics the order’s distant alarm call, which warns fellow tits of incoming danger.
This species is a great example of how we can find whimsy in the seemingly mundane. How a small, common grey bird can hold such wonder with a name. They are cute, certainly no nuisance and go about their short bird lives living off the Earth and chirping away.
I hope next time you are roaming the great outdoors of our campus with your friends, you’ll see and recognize this bird. If you do, bring them the unadulterated enlightenment of their common name and leave that social interaction with the self-satisfaction of spreading the wonder of our natural world. I know I am excited to see my first wild tufted titmouse. Happy hunting, everyone!
