About the American Bushtit
The American bushtit, or simply bushtit, is a social songbird belonging to the monotypic genus Psaltriparus. It is one of the smallest passerines in North America and it is the only species in the family Aegithalidae found in the Americas; the other eleven species occur in Eurasia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
With a length of 100–110 mm (3.9–4.3 in) and a weight of 4.5–6 g (0.16–0.21 oz), the American bushtit is one of the smallest passerines in North America. It is mostly gray-brown, with a large head, short neck, long tail, and small, stubby beak. American bushtits have different characteristics based on their sex and habitats. The male has dark brown to black eyes while the adult female has yellow eyes.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the American Bushtit sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusThis species has been described as a tiny (at only 13–15 cm (5–6 in) in length, including its 7–9 cm (3–3+1⁄2 in) tail), round-bodied tit-like bird with a short, stubby bill and a very long, narrow tail.
Black-throated BushtitAegithalos concinnusThe black-throated bushtit is a small passerine, around 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long and weighing 4–9 g (0.14–0.32 oz).
Silver-throated BushtitAegithalos glaucogularisThe silver-throated bushtit or silver-throated tit is a species of passerine bird in the family Aegithalidae, widespread throughout the temperate forests of Central, East and parts of North and Western China.
Side by side: American Bushtit vs Long-tailed Tit
Learn the American Bushtit for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.