Titmice are pretty much identical. I can pick out two that I have had at the feeder for a couple of years because of scars they have. Recently I have been watching a young titmouse – he stood out from the cool grey crowd. I was pretty sure it was a youngster because it’s plumage was a bit rough and it still had the yellow edging on its beak that baby birds had. It’s about the same size as the other birds so it seemed like it should be more confident. It looked to me like it was having a hard time mastering basic titmouse routines.
Titmice are not usually found impersonating bats
Titmice typically know the difference between a feeder and a wind chime.
Titmice typically sit low so they can grab seed and run.
Titmice typically land on ropes and strings as a mid point to landing on feeders, not as a permanent roost.
Titmice typically don’t bother with thistle feeders because their beaks are too large to fit into the openings.
Titmice typically sit on the tray feeder, instead of trying to reach down into it
A couple of days ago I witnessed an altercation. The young bird would vocalize and make lots of screeching sounds whenever a mature bird got close – I assumed that this was about a young bird proving himself. He seemed to be incapable of holding his own.
Missed the peg by that much.
Perhaps fluffing feathers and loud squalking will show his place in the flock.
Turn up the volume and flap like mad.
The mature bird seems unfazed
Now the youngster goes all out – pulling out all the stops. The mature bird lets out an unconcerned “chirp”.
I started to notice this bird regularly. In this screen door weather it’s clear when he is on one of my pergolas. He seems to be able to screech even with his mouth full. He also puffs out his feathers – this has made him an attractive subject as I study capturing movement through setting changes.
I have never seen a titmouse hide, and screeching seems counterproductive when hiding.
I wondered if this fluffing behavior was akin to what hummingbirds to – it makes them look larger to other birds.
Typically a titmouse would get a seed and fly off to crack it – this guy screams like a baby.
On the rare occasion this guy gets a seed and flies to a spot to crack it, he often seems to drop it, mostly because of his odd fluffing and screeching.
So he finally finds the seeds in the feeder, but instead of eating he puts on the puffy suit.
Last night, just before sunset I saw the following interaction – as I watched I assumed it was a tussle over a peanut, but as I looked at the next to last shot I wondered if I had been looking at this all wrong…
The mature bird lands atop the ladder where the youngster is on the next step screeching
The mature bird hops to the tray of food across from the youngster.
The mature bird opens a raw peanut – removing one from the shell
As a great deal of flapping and screeching goes on the mature bird hops across the gap – is the peanut shared, or stolen?
The youngster with a peanut.
As I watched the scene above I was sure that there was a fight over a peanut, but as I looked at the photos afterward, I wasn’t so sure.
Today I saw the two birds again and it became clear that my impressions were wrong.
The youngster sat in the crepe myrtle screeching and fluffing.
The mature bird landed nearby
The youngster turned toward the mature bird as it fluffed and screeched.
The mature bird found a peanut on the tray feeder.
The mature bird works very hard to open the peanut, wedging it in an old satellite dish mount for leverage.
The mature bird takes the peanut into the crepe myrtle to finish the job,
The youngster continues to fluff and screech non-stop
This shot shows the proximity of the two birds as the mature bird finally cracks the case.
The mature bird moves towards the youngster.
The mature bird seems to be feeding the peanut to the youngster.
Once I saw this play out I had to revisit the other photos and look at them through a different lens. I have never seen this type of behavior before, was this youngster just not ready to leave the nest? Does he just want to live beyond his means and eat peanuts all day instead of sunflower seeds? Was he the oldest child who wishes he got more time with mom and dad? Was he the middle child who grew up believing that he didn’t get enough attention? Was he the youngest who like to play the baby card to keep from having to fix his own supper? EIther way, he’s got his parents snowed.
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the eff stop 
It’s so interesting how over time, we learn to interpret animal behavior differently. It’s taken me several years to understand that baby robins on the ground is normal and no need for concern. It’s part of their training towards flight and mom and dad are always on guard nearby. Great pictures and narrative, as usual!
Yes – I noticed yesterday that this guy is still screeching, but he is feeding himself. I think last year when I was new to birding that I thought that screeching was more of an alarm, not being familiar with the sounds they make in the nest. I don’t think he’s learned to open a peanut yet though 🙂
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It’s like a documentary on needy youngsters!
It’s time to cut the apron strings!
Hey Lorri – we have been watching yearling cardinals begging to mom and dad – hilarious to watch them – and they do get an occasional reward – maybe just to shut them up! Always love your photos! K
Hi Kathleen – good to hear from you! I rarely get a look at the young cards because they nest pretty deep in the woods, but the titmice are everywhere. It now occurs to me that his screeching sounds a lot like they did in the nest – I just didn’t connect the dots.
Maybe a sequel to the move ‘Failure to Launch’? No pun intended =D
Haha – he seems to fly just fine, but he’s awfully needy otherwise. 🙂
Hmm, that’s what my friend says about her 44 YO son that has only left the nest once for 6 months. He’s engaged now, but we’re betting it won’t go down, as they BOTH live with them. Ugh, glad I’m childless!!
OMG – that’s crazy!
Your patience is commendable. Lovely pics!!
Thanks so much for taking a look!
I have a boomerang kid home with me at the moment. His turn to cook tonight. It has its advantages 🙂
LOL – the upside is certainly to be considered – hopefully he can open his own peanuts:)
Awww he’s cute even if he can’t cut the apron strings. 🙂
Cute and needy☺
Marvelous, as always. Funny, the kids not leaving the nest has extended to the feathered world. Maybe he’s paying off college loans 😉
I was thinking he might be part of the “boomerang generation” – I think he just likes mom’s cooking 🙂
Tell mom it’s time to stop cooking 😉
☺
Wonderful pictures and commentary. How long are you typically involved with a shoot like this?
I shoot a little everyday, but spend a lot of time outside with the birds this weekend. The weather was perfect and the birds are very active. This set alone was shot over 4 days, I didn’t realize it was a set until this afternoon 🙂
Your dedication and time really pay off! I am enthralled with pictures where you freeze action!
Thanks – I love spending time watching them – it’s better than cable 🙂
You are SO welcome!
🙂
What fabulous pictures and commentary, Lorri! Just today we had a young titmouse at our window feeder. Like yours, there were still bits of down on his back. I’d never seen that before!! Of course, I have no picture. Glad I have yours!
This time of year there are so many young birds out there mixing it up with the big boys – this one was the only one who was still dependent on his mother that I noticed. He is actually pretty adorable.
Great pic’s and story Lorri
Thanks Randa! The birds and pups miss you 🙂
Reblogged this on Michael Volkmanns Blog.
Great photos.
I think birds all the more fascinating once you spend a fair time observing them. I’m always surprised at how caring and sharing the Mother birds are with their young.
I have seen it in the nest box, but never out like this. This fella seems to be the only baby in the flock. It is sweet to see his mom taking such good care of him, I bet he brings his laundry home from college 🙂