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Is there anything cuter then a young Tufted Titmouse? Nope, lol! Here’s some of my favorite shots from a family of Tufted Titmice that I found earlier this year at the Jordan Lake SRA in New Hill, N.C. They are known to nest in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties with a breeding season that runs March through May. Tufted Titmice prefer to build their nests inside old Woodpecker holes bored into tree trunks. Lining their nest with grass, feathers and other soft materials, they provide a safe and warm home for their nestlings, hidden away inside the tree. The young are able to take their first jumps into the air after just 16 days and will begin the breeding cycle within their first year. These cheerful birds spend the entire year here in NC and may be found in abundance throughout the eastern United States from southern Maine all the way down to Florida. They are closely related to Chickadees and often travel with them foraging for a meal in mixed flocks. Keep an eye out for them in your own neighborhood as they are a familiar sight at most backyard feeders here in the Tarheel State 🙂 Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa #5Ds

A post shared by Bird Watching N.C. (@birdwatching_nc) on Sep 6, 2020 at 6:23am PDT