This little ball of energy is one of the cutest creatures on two legs. Steel gray in color, you wouldn't think the Tufted Titmouse would turn heads, but with its bright button eyes, and pert crown, it is really a fun bird to watch. They're not an "in-your-face" cute, like the Chickadee; in fact, they're pretty shy, and--at least in my experience--hard to get a close-up shot. But the common reaction from anyone who sees one for the first time is: What a cute little thing!

Don't be fooled by their size. They are also one of the noisiest birds in the woods. They have at least 4 different songs that I can identify, and it almost seems that each individual is trying to come up with its own riff. I've even heard calls that sound like someone blowing "wee-oooo" in a party noisemaker. What they have in common is that their loud whistles really carry far in the leafless winter woods of the midwest. I can't help but wonder how a tiny thing like that can make such a loud whistle, when I can't even make myself heard in a noisy brewpub! And then when it's not whooping out its loud whistles, it just sits there talking to itself in a soft nasal rattle, while hopping from branch to branch.

If you have a chance, definitely get out in the woods now while the trees are leafless, and the Tufted Titmouse is easier to spot. If you can't get out to look for one, you can check out their calls at the website below. As we endure the cold gray of January and February, enjoy one of the beautiful sounds of early spring, which will be here before you know it!

http://listeninginnature.blogspot.com/2013/04/thats-titmouse.html

Dan's Feathursday Feature is a bi-weekly contribution to the COS blog featuring the thoughts, insights and pictures of Chicago birder, Dan Lory on birds of the Chicago region.

Dan's Feathursday Feature: Tufted Titmouse