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Bushtits ( Psaltriparus
minimus
)are very small birds. Individually, you would not likely notice
one. However they generally forage in large (in number) flocks.
Bushtits will suddenly erupt from a tree in waves, darting into
the next tree, they disappear into the foliage. I have reason to
suppose that
the bushtits have a large part in bringing the plague of ash
whiteflies
under control. During the 1980's ash whiteflies invaded this area,
and
caused great damage to citrus trees, including my tangelo.
It is quite unusual for
an individual
bushtit to remain on an exposed
perch like this long enough to be photographed. After years of trying,
I was set up in the right place while trying for a different species.
Here is the way a bushtit is most likely to be seen. Yes, there
really is a bird right in the center of this picture. Outside of
nesting season, the birds hunt in large flocks. Looking at
a tree with a flock in it, you see constant motion all over the tree,
but rarely glimpse a bird. You can identify the flock as bustits
by the continuous twittering of intraflock communication.
This bushtit is waiting impatiently for me to leave so it
can sneak in to feed its nestlings.
The
bag like bushtit nest is well hidden among the leaves
of an avocado
tree.
Here is the bag
like nest of bushtits which had fallen out of the tree.
[Taxonomy
:
Classification]
[Birds] [Back Yard Biology]
[Science
Can Be Fun]