Aves (Birds): Passeriformes, Paridae
Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus)
Potential Occurrence: Nesting Likely to Occur
Status: (Nesting)
Federal: none
State: none
Other: G5S3
Species Description: The oak titmouse is a small, drably colored
Photo: Steve Ryan
brown-tinged grey bird with a small crest on its head like a cardinal.
The underside is a lighter grey color. Males and females look alike, and males are only slightly
larger than females (Cicero 2000).
Synonyms: Until recently, the Oak Titmouse and Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) were
thought to be one species, the Plain Titmouse (Palus inornatus) (Cicero 2000).
A comprehensive analysis of geographic variation in the species complex (Cicero 1996), along
with genetic evidence of relationships within the family (Sheldon et al. 1992, Slikas et al. 1996),
has led to their reclassification as sibling species in the genus Baeolophus (American
Ornithologists’ Union 1997).(From Cicero 2000).
Distribution: Found in oak and oak-pine woodlands on the Pacific slope (Cicero 2000).
Breeding area ranges from southwest Oregon to northwest Baja California (Gilligan 1994;
Wilbur 1987).
Life History & Threats: Nests in cavities from 3 to 32 ft above the ground (Burridge 1995;
Cicero 2000). The female incubates a clutch of 6-8 eggs for 14-16 days. Nestlings are cared for
by both parents and leave the nest within 3 weeks, but stay with their parents for 3-4 more
weeks (Hammerson 1994). Feed mainly on insects and spiders and also acorns, leaf galls, and
seeds (Hammerson 1994; Cicero 2000).
Invertebrates, especially terrestrial insects or flying insects, are essential. Seeds, berries, and
acorns are also eaten. (From Laudenslayer 2007)
Loss of natural cavities for this sedentary species is affecting populations… Breeding Bird Survey
(BBS) data show the Oak Titmouse and Juniper Titmouse declining 1.9% per year throughout
California from 1980 through 1996. The Oak Titmouse experienced a 1.6% annual decline in the
California foothills from 1966 through 1996…. Habitat loss from development is the greatest
threat to the species. Sudden Oak Death fungal disease, which has killed tens of thousands of
oaks in California, may cause the loss of much habitat for the Oak Titmouse though in the shortterm it could increase availability of nesting cavities because of the prevalence of dead and
infected trees. However, efforts to prevent the spread of the oak pathogen often include removing
all dead and infected trees. (From Audubon WatchList 2007)
Habitat & Habitat Associations:
General Habitat:
Species finds suitability (H --->L) for reproduction, cover and/or feeding in some or all stages of:
Blue Oak Woodland, Blue Oak Foothill Pine, Chamise-Redshank Chaparral, Closed-Cone PineCypress, Coastal Oak Woodland, Deciduous Orchard, Eucalyptus, Mixed Chaparral, Montane,
Hardwood, Montane, Hardwood-Conifer, Urban, Valley Foothill Riparian, and Valley Oak
Woodland. (From Laudenslayer 2007) Composition of oak woodland varies, but arboreal
species dominate, and woodland is generally open.” (From Cicero 2000)
Found in open, dry woods (Sibley 2000) and water enhances suitability. Species has been known
to drink occasionally in summer. (From Laudenslayer 2007)
California Partners in Flight recently created The Oak Woodland Bird Conservation Plan to guide
land management policy and action for California's oak woodland habitats and the wildlife that
inhabit them. The conservation plan includes increasing the number of dead standing oak species
in the Oak Titmouse's range. Live trees with dead limbs as well as diseased trees in which the
heartwood decays are especially important. Oak woodlands should be thinned to contain a
canopy cover of 40-70%. (From Audubon WatchList 2007).
Nesting Habitat:
Species requires either hardwoods or a tree layer for all 3 life requisites. Either snags (rotten, all
sizes) or trees with cavities are required for reproduction and cover. (In oaks, such cavities are
usually natural cavities not made by a woodpecker, but this may not be universal.) Will also use
nest boxes. (From Laudenslayer 2007)
Elevation: 12-1,900 m (Cicero 2000). (Elevation of study area ranges from 230-710 m).
Conceptual Basis for GIS Model Development: Suitable habitat for this species was mapped
as open woodlands and forests (i.e., any tree dominated vegetation type with canopy cover
between 10 and 40%), riparian vegetation, and chaparral. Best habitat is mapped as
cismontane woodland types (i.e., woodlands containing oaks and canopy cover between 10 and
40%).
Potential Occurrence in the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve: Protection status for this
species applies to nesting individuals.
Habitat: Oak titmice nest in cavities in trees in open woodlands. Nesting habitat quality is good
in the Preserve, with a variety of woodland types (Figure 89). Riparian forests indicated on the
potential habitat map are likely the poorest quality; vegetation in this zone is patchy in
distribution and likely do not provide the open woodland habitat preferred for nesting.
Nearest Occurrence: This species has been observed on the Preserve (Claudia Luke personal
observation).
Summary: Nesting Oak Titmice are “Likely to Occur” in the Preserve. This species is observed
regularly, and good quality habitat is abundant.
References
Audubon WatchList. 2007. Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus). Audubon WatchList. National
Audubon Society, New York, New York. <http://audubon2.org/watchlist/
viewSpecies.jsp?id=148> 2010 Jul 10
Burridge B. 1995. Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas. Santa Rosa, CA: Madrone Audubon
Society. p 117
Cicero C. 2000. Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus), The Birds of North America Online (A.
Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. <http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/485a>
2010 Jul 07
Gilligan J, Smith M, Rogers D, Contreras A. 1994. Birds of Oregon: Status and Distribution.
McMinnville, OR: Cinclus Publishing
Hammerson G. 1994 Jan 25. Comprehensive Report Species- Baeolophus inornatus.
NatureServe Explorer. Version 7.1. <http://www.natureserve.org/explorer>. 2010 Jul 07.
Laudenslayer WF. Jr. 2007. Species Notes for Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus). California
Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) System Level II Model Prototype, In: (Monica D. Parisi
(ed) California Department of Fish and Game California Interagency Wildlife Task Group.
<http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/downloads/Level_II/Notes/II_Oak_Titmouse.pdf> 2010
Jul 10.
Sibley DA. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A Knopf. p 372.
Wilbur SR. 1987. Birds of Baja California. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Photo info: released under Creative Commons license by Steve Ryan.
<http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baeolophus_inornatus_Groveland.jpg> 2010 Jul 06
Species Account Description: Kandis Gilmore & Emily Harvey