Oak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus
Also known as: Coastal Plain Titmouse, Plain Titmouse
About This Species
This small, crested songbird favours oak woodland and oak-conifer mix along the US Pacific coast, sticking to pairs that hold the same territory year-round. Listen for its harsh, scolding chatter and watch mid-canopy branches, where it gleans insects and acorns; it readily comes to garden feeders offering sunflower seed. Because pairs are resident and non-migratory, any season works, though spring calling activity makes it easiest to locate by ear.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A common backyard bird in much of its range, so ordinary care is sufficient: stay far enough back that it keeps feeding normally, and never approach a nest cavity, which in the US falls under federal migratory bird protections.
- If it gives alarm calls or freezes, that is a sign to move away and observe from further off.
- Feeders and nest boxes should be sited to let it approach and retreat on its own terms rather than being handled or crowded for a closer look.
LCAvesPasseriformesParidae
Seasonal Activity
1,043,486 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.