Known as the American bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus, is the only species of the Aegithalidae family to be found in North America, and it is also the only member of the genus Psaltriparus to be found in North America. “Bushtit,” as it is known in North America, is a colloquial term.
Quick Overview: Psaltriparus Minimus – Bushtit
Body size: Around 4.5 in (11 cm) and a weight of 6 g (.2 oz)
Main colors: Gray, Brown
Range: Western United States
Migratory Bird: No
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: All Year (January – December)
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Bushtit Description
The Bushtit is a tiny gray bird with a long tail that looks like a rat’s tail. It makes a difference where you view these birds since their face colors and characteristics are different. The majority of them have brown crowns. A gray crown and brown cheeks distinguish it from other species in the rocky mountain region.
Size
These birds have a length of 4.5 in (11 cm) and a weight of 6 g (.2 oz). Their wings could range 7 in (18 cm).
Feeding
The Bushtit subsists on insects and spiders that reside in the bushes and trees that surround it in its natural environment. It also eats tiny seeds from fruits, which it obtains from other sources.
Habitat
In the Arizona region, these birds may be found in a variety of habitats ranging from woodland to drier regions. Bushtits are typically found in pinyon-juniper ecosystems and along riverbanks that are densely forested. This bird may also be found in riverbanks bordered with trees, aspen groves on steep slopes, sagebrush, and mountain mahogany forests.
Behavior
The majority of the year, bushtits roam in large groups. In these flocks, members assist one another with activities such as nest construction and territory defense. These flocks, sometimes known as bands, can comprise as many as forty birds. The Bushtit is a very busy creature that does not stay in one place for very long periods of time.
Psaltriparus minimus Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Aegithalidae
- Genus: Psaltriparus
- Species: Psaltriparus minimus
Subspecies
There are ten (10) recognized subspecies in these species.
Other common names
Known as American Bushtit as well.
Best time of the year to see
In the United States, the best time of year to see these birds is all year round, regardless of the season. This refers to any month of the year between January and December.
Distribution of the Bushtit in the USA
The Bushtit may be found all along the western coast of the North American continent, including Alaska. Geographically, it extends from southern Canada to Central America
The Bushtit can be found in the following states in the United States – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
