Of Peter and the Mouse
02-27-2007 - If you happen to be named Peter, you might feel appreciated, and perhaps even downright popular on a spring day.
With kind permission of The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)
 If you happen to be named Peter, you might feel appreciated, and perhaps even downright popular on a spring day. In an endless mantra that serves as an advertisement for its territory, the tiny, feisty Tufted Titmouse calls out the name repeatedly.
This time of year, the smart-looking tufted titmouse is hard to miss. Not only will it occasionally announce its presence to the Peters of the world (one was heard in Milton this week), it is also drawn to feeders in the winter. Named for the elf-like gray crest on its head, it is slightly larger than a chickadee. Its orange flanks and white underside contrast beautifully with its gray back and head.
If you see the titmouse at your feeder in winter, it is likely you will be able to hear ?Peter? in spring as well. Unlike many chickadees, Tufted Titmouse pairs do not join larger, migrating flocks outside of the breeding season. Instead, most remain on the territory as a pair. Frequently one of their young from that year remains with them, and occasionally other juveniles will join them. Once in a great while, a young titmouse will remain with its parents as a ?helper? in raising the next year's brood.
Although not migratory, the titmouse may be seen in mixed species foraging flocks. Each species plays a different social role in these groups. The titmouse often acts as a ?nucleus? species that accumulates other birds as they move, much like the dust in a rain drop. The attraction? They make a clamor in response to the presence of a predator, providing a convenient alarm system for more solitary birds. Migrating birds that are unfamiliar with the local terrain can also benefit from the information provided by these year-long residents.
In Vermont, ?Peter? is ringing out in more places than ever. A bird of the eastern U.S, the Tufted Titmouse has expanded its range east and northward into New England and Canada. Reasons for the extension are unclear, and theories range from climate change to an increased food supply provided by bird feeders. Regardless of the reason for the expansion, it helps that the titmouse is a generalist species, adaptable to a variety of habitats.
Other sightings in Vermont
The recent blizzard made for fewer bird observations in the past week, and many were feeder observations made from within cozy homes. Among the typical winter species like the titmouse were 14 Tree Sparrows at a feeder in Jericho Center, and Cooper?s and Sharp-shinned Hawks stalking feeders. Some birders are still venturing outside; a Belted Kingfisher was observed during a snowshoe in Rutland, as well as 75 Snow Buntings. A walk in Brattleboro?s Retreat Meadows produced a Northern Mockingbird and Northern Shrike.
- Rosalind Renfrew (VINS Conservation Biology Department)
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