Bushtit

The Bushtit is social songbird found in lively flocks, moving constantly between shrubs, thickets and trees foraging acrobatically for insects. It is a year round resident of the west ranging from southwestern BC south along the Pacific coast, portions of southwestern states and Mexico.

Adult Male (spring/summer)

Dull chestnut crown. Dark brown lores and dark eyes; light buff brown on chin and breast; light buff undertail coverts and remainder of bird dull brown. Chubby overall with long tail, rounded head, stubby black bill and black legs.

Adult Female (spring/summer)

Similar to male but fluffy appearance with pale eyes.

Juvenile

Similar to adult female but dark-eyed.

General:

Tiny, long-tailed and short-necked songbird. Length: 7-8cm. Wing: 15cm. Weight: 4-6grams.

Behaviour:

Bushtits are acrobatic foragers moving quickly through vegetation hanging and hovering to forage for insects. They frequently can be heard approaching as they chip and twitter on the move. Out of breeding season they are usually in groups of 5-25 or more, often with other species of birds. When breeding Bush Tits are solitary birds. Though non-migratory they will move down slope for wintering purposes. Diet consists mainly of insects, though occasionally seeds are taken.

Habitat:

Bushtits are found in mixed woodlands, scrubby areas, and urban areas with vegetation that harbor insects, their larvae and eggs along with some seeds.

Information:

Bushtits are social birds that live year-round in flocks of 10 to 40 birds. They range widely in winter, sometimes moving considerable distances to escape cold weather. The nest can be found 4-25 ft. above the ground. It is jug shaped hanging pouch made by weaving material and twigs into the supporting branches of a tree or bush. It is lined with plant-down, wool, hair and feathers. Eggs 5-7 per clutch, white, unmarked and oval shaped.

Note: If disturbed while nest building or laying a pair will often leave the nest site completely and will possibly change mates before building a new nest.

Similar species:

Verdin.

Conservation Status:

Listed as Least Concern.

Capture Rates

Capture rates of Bushtit occur starting in spring then peak in summer through fall (June – Oct). Very social birds, bushtits live year-round in flocks of 3 to 40 birds however can move substantial distances to escape cold weather.

Molt Summary:

PF: HY complete, PB: AHY complete; PA absent

Juveniles have loosely textured feathers (particularly nape and undertail coverts) and often obvious natal plumes (red arrow).

Juveniles of most subspecies have dark irises until after completion of the 1st PB.

The shape of the outer primary (p10) is larger and more rounded in juveniles versus HY/AHY which is smaller and more tapered.

After completion of the 1st PB the iris colour is reliable for sexing; males having dark irises and females like this HY in August having pale yellowish irises.

Notice again the very loosely textured feathers of the nape and prominent natal plumes.

This adult (AHY) male in April shows the diagnostic dark iris and white throat.

This adult (AHY) female in June shows the diagnostic pale, yellowish iris and greyish throat.