TITMOUSE (often abbreviated to "tit"), meaning a little mouse, the popular name of any of a number of birds of the genus Parus, family Paridae, of the order Passeres. The genus is usually non-migratory, and is widely spread throughout the world, being found everywhere except in South America and the Aus tralian region east of Flores.
The great titmouse or ox-eye (P. major) is found all over Europe and north Asia. It is conspicuous by its black head, white cheeks and yellow breast with a black band down the centre. Its love-note resembles the noise made in sharpening a saw. Equally widely distributed and even more common is P. coeruleus, the blue titmouse, with a plumage of blue and yellow. Not dis similar are the coal-titmouse (P. ater), distinguished by its black cap and white cheek and nape, and the marsh-titmouse (P. pal ustris), which is more soberly coloured. The crested titmouse (P. cristatus) inhabits the mountain pine-woods of Scotland and Europe generally. The most familiar American form is the chickadee (q.v.) or black-capped titmouse (P. atricapillus), but other species of the genus Parus and the allied genera Psaltriparus and Auriparus occur.
During most of the year, the various species associate in family parties, only breaking up into pairs to breed. Composite bands of several species are often to be seen during the winter. The nests are placed in hollow stumps, holes in walls or similar situations and have a thick lining of feathers and hair. The eggs, often eight or nine in number, are white, freckled with rust colour. Of a restless disposition, the birds feed largely on insects, but in winter will read ily eat suet, coconuts and seeds, particu larly those of the sunflower. By their de struction of harmful grubs, these birds are of incalculable value to the gardener.
The allied genus Acredula includes the long-tailed titmouse (A. caudata), which has a tail longer than itself and builds a beautiful oval nest of lichen, moss and wool lined with feathers. Over 2,000 feathers have been taken from one nest. When the female is brooding her tail is bent over her back and protrudes at the nest entrance.
The bearded titmouse, reedling or reed-pheasant (Panurus biarmicus) inhabits reed-beds. It belongs to a different family, the Panuridae.