How to Identify aOak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus · 5.1–5.5 in (13–14 cm)
Male vs. female
Male
Uniform grayish-brown with a modest pointed crest and a plain face. Sexes look alike.
Female
Identical to the male in the field.
Male photo: Alan Vernon / Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0 · Second photo: Wookiemedia / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Field marks
- Entirely plain — no wingbars, stripes or contrasting marks
- Short pointed crest
- Stubby dark bill
- Restricted to oak woodland in California and Oregon
Similar species
What it sounds like
A repeated, whistled, seesawing "peet-er peet-er", and a scolding raspy chatter.
Behaviour that gives it away
Pairs hold the same territory together for life, and defend it year-round rather than only in the breeding season.
Habitat & range
Oak and oak-pine woodland, and wooded suburbs, in California and southwest Oregon.
When you'll see it
Present all year in western North America.
What it eats
Insects, spiders, acorns and seeds.
Did you know?
Pairs mate for life and hold the same patch of oak woodland together year-round, which is unusual among small songbirds.
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