What's going on, Albuquerque?

Bushtits for February, 2013

I didn't expect to see these cute little birds in the winter. They are so tiny it seems that they'd prefer a warmer climate this time of year. I've also noted that they like to flock together and act like life is a party, dancing and singing with each other and just having a great old time. On this Sunday, after taking pictures of an unusual bird on a fence, I continued to track down what bird was giving a whistling tweet that seemed to echo between various bushes in the front yards of some ordinary houses. Persistence pays because I finally saw them - bushtits!. They didn't seem to be worried about me, so I took a lot pictures. They also didn't seem to be very happy with life even though it was fairly warm. They were just busy eating, which I can understand. Here are some pictures

note the extraordinary tail

and finally for today:

I hope you're able to see some of these tiny handfuls. They are smaller than lesser goldfinches, but bigger than hummingbirds. Listen for the high-pitched whistle

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on February 24, 2013 at 11:41am

They are very cute and most times of the year travel in rag-tag mobs. During spring breeding you will only see them in pairs.

Permalink Reply by Bob W on February 24, 2013 at 1:09pm

Nice pictures Debby! Good job.

Permalink Reply by Debby S on February 25, 2013 at 5:47am

Thanks! Just listen for that hurried whistling sound, almost dee-dee dee-dee but sharper and eching all over the place.

Permalink Reply by Debby S on February 25, 2013 at 5:46am

"Rag-tag mobs" I love that! Balls of tiny feathers with a bit of attitude... there were at least two in this sighting that stuck fairly close to each other, then others in nearby pine-like trees and bushes. I imagine the were finding plenty to eat.

Permalink Reply by Izquierdo on June 10, 2013 at 10:40pm

i saw bushtits in a pinon in my yard this May. Some were incoming and some had left and a few were picked at the new growth, apparently extracting something good, perhaps the pinon scale that forms on the needles.It was about a five minute show. I was standing still when the first one came in, landing in the middle of the three. I stood there not moving for a few seconds, not waiting to frighten it, and another landed at the end of a branch not more than two feet from my nose. He hung three for about 10 or 15 seconds before moving up the tree. Soon they were all gone. I've seen it all before but never have I had one land so close.

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