black-eared bushtit
Quick Summary
The black-eared bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) is a small, gray bird found in western North America, ranging from British Columbia to Guatemala. It belongs to the songbird family Aegithalidae.12
These tiny birds are common in various woodlands and wooded suburban areas. They are known for their active foraging in bands, seeking out small insects like leafhoppers and aphids, and also consume seeds and berries.2
The "black-eared" designation refers to conspicuously black cheek patches. Forms with these markings were once considered a separate species but are now classified as a subspecies of the common bushtit. Bushtits build pouch-like nests and cooperate in raising their young.12
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