Oak Titmouse
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Cavity Nester ⌀ 1.25" Small

Oak Titmouse

Baeolophus inornatus

Drab grey crested titmouse of California's oak woodlands, recognizable by its small pointed crest and clear two-note whistle. Pairs stay together year-round and defend territory aggressively for their size.

IUCN Red List
Least Concern

Widespread and abundant; no known immediate threats to the population.

Floor
4" × 4"
Interior height
8"
Entrance hole
⌀ 1.25"
Mount height
5–15 ft
Breeds
Mar–Jun
Broods / yr
1
Cool Facts

Things you didn't know about the Oak Titmouse

01

Defends a year-round territory with the same mate, often for the bird's entire life.

02

Plain grey plumage. The closest thing North America has to a 'colorless' titmouse, distinguished from Juniper Titmouse only by range and slight subtleties.

03

Was split from Juniper Titmouse in 1996 by the American Ornithological Society based on genetic and vocal differences.

04

Nests almost exclusively in oak woodlands of California and Baja California, an unusually small range for a North American titmouse.

Range & Habitat

Where you'll find them

Endemic to oak woodlands of the West Coast, from southern Oregon south through California to northwestern Baja California.

By region
  • California

    Common resident in oak and oak-pine woodlands across most of the state west of the deserts.

  • Northern Baja

    Southern range edge in oak chaparral of northwest Mexico.

oak woodlands oak-juniper live-oak chaparral
10-year local observation heatmap. Click a season above to isolate one band.
Fledgemade Kit

The right house for the Oak Titmouse

Size S

Small body + 1¼" panel

Body sized to 4"×4" floor. The 1¼" panel locks out larger nest competitors while letting the Oak Titmouse pass cleanly.

Multi-color presets
Color
Entrance hole size
$39
Customize colors - +$5
Seasonal Care

When to install. When to clean.

Install by
By mid-February
Cleaning
Once a year, late August
Winter use
Yes, overnight roosts
California oak belt
Resident from southern Oregon south to Baja California.

Strong territorial pair-bonds; same pair often re-uses the same box across years.