A little Tufted Titmouse pauses to check its surroundings before returning to hammering on the corn grain clutched between its feet.
The Tufted Titmice is the most common visitor to our winter feeders. I love watching them pick up a choice morsel and fly with it to their preferred spot. There they will clutch it tightly between their feet while breaking it apart with rapid blows of their sharp beak. In this photo you can see the titmouse has gained access to the starchy contents of the corn by pecking a hole in the cob end of the kernel.
Although it was very cold Saturday morning the weather warmed considerably by afternoon softening the crusted snow. The temps stayed above freezing during the night followed by a high of 50 deg F Sunday bringing our wildlife much needed respite from the impenetrable crust.
The Tufted Titmice is the most common visitor to our winter feeders. I love watching them pick up a choice morsel and fly with it to their preferred spot. There they will clutch it tightly between their feet while breaking it apart with rapid blows of their sharp beak. In this photo you can see the titmouse has gained access to the starchy contents of the corn by pecking a hole in the cob end of the kernel.
Although it was very cold Saturday morning the weather warmed considerably by afternoon softening the crusted snow. The temps stayed above freezing during the night followed by a high of 50 deg F Sunday bringing our wildlife much needed respite from the impenetrable crust.
Michelle of Rambling Woods asked in a comment on yesterday’s post if squirrels are hunted for food. The answer is yes. Squirrel meat is quite good and is frequently slow fried, stewed, or fixed with dumplings and potpies. Many squirrel hunters consider them a delicacy.
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A beautiful photo... I love the tenderness of the bird and the snow...
ReplyDeleteMountain Retreat
I am enjoying the posts about the Tutmouse,since we do not have them in our area.Such a cute bird.
ReplyDeleteBlessing,Ruth
Well..I suspected that. I had a landscaper come for an estimate and 'SHE' was a big hunter and really, really like squirrel especially squirrel meatloaf. She kind of shook her head at the gray squirrels up in the trees. I just wondered if people went out and shot them just because or if most were shot for meat...
ReplyDeleteAnyway..you are very lucky if you have lots of titmice. I have had one pair the last couple of years, but that's all. And that is a beautiful photo...Michelle
That is a beautiful shot Coy. We dont find squirrels around the town areas anymore so the only hunting which is done here is for buck and that is on private game farms. My husband used to go with a group of his friend every year. On most of them, we also have a hunting season which is from June to end September every year. It is a very popular sport here too.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful picture of a bird that i did not know... Not so easy to get good shots with snow and contrast with the subject, but this is a perfect picture. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA Gorgeous Titmouse! I LOVE these little birds...and your description of their eating habits is superb! That is EXACTLY what they do at my feeder!!
ReplyDeleteSalty: What a neat shot of the little guy.
ReplyDeleteNice shot. Good squirrel image as well. Blue Skies.
ReplyDeleteA great composition and this little guy is so cute. I love how he is clutching the kernel.
ReplyDeleteLooks like he is trying to stay warm.
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