American Bushtit

Psaltriparus minimus

Also known as: Bushtit, Common Bushtit, Black-Eared Bushtit, Pacific Bushtit

About This Species

A tiny, long-tailed songbird that moves through shrubs and low tree canopy in tight, constantly chattering flocks, often a dozen or more birds moving as one restless unit. Its thin, high-pitched contact calls are usually heard before the flock is seen, and it builds a distinctive hanging, sock-like nest woven from spider silk and lichen. It can be found year-round in its range, with flocks easiest to follow in open scrub and garden edges outside the breeding season when foliage is thinner.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

Flocks are generally tolerant of a still observer and will often forage past at close range if you stay put rather than following them, since chasing a moving flock just pushes it on faster.
Its small hanging nest is vulnerable to disturbance, so avoid handling or lingering near a nest in use during the spring breeding season, in line with general wildlife protection law covering nesting birds.
Keeping a respectful distance from an active nest is the main precaution needed for a species that is otherwise common and unafraid of people.

LCAvesPasseriformesAegithalidae

Seasonal Activity

2,452,063 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Aegithalidae

Photo

CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.