Roadless Areas
Home/Species/ Bushtit

Psaltriparus minimus

(Townsend, 1837)

Bushtit

G5Secure Found in 159 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102220
Element CodeABPAY01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyAegithalidae
GenusPsaltriparus
Other Common Names
Mésange buissonnière (FR) Sastrecillo (ES)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Composed of three groups: minimus, plumbeus, and melanotis; populations of melanotis (Black-eared Bushtit) wer formerly considered a separate species (AOU 1998). Placed in the genus Aegithalos by Phillips (1986).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-09
Change Date1996-12-02
Range Extent Comments
RESIDENT: coastal ranges from southwestern British Columbia south to southern Baja California, in interior from southern and southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, north-central Utah, western Colorado, western Oklahoma, and central Texas, south into Mexico and Guatemala (Terres 1980).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Woodlands and scrub habitat with scattered trees and shrubs. Brushy streamsides, pinyon-juniper, chaparral and pine-oak associations. May be found up to 1800-2500 m in southern Rocky Mtns. Found in trees and shrubs in residential areas. BREEDING: Gourd-shaped nest is suspended from twigs 1-15 m above ground in a tree or shrub.

Ecology

In winter often found in mixed species flocks (with kiglets, wrens, chickadees) that may number 20-50 birds. Pairs begin to separate from flocks in January-February.

Reproduction

Clutch size usually 5-7, sometimes as many as 15. Incubation 12-13 days. Nestlings altricial, tended by both parents, leave nest in 14-15 days.
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralOld fieldSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
NevadaS4Yes
WyomingS2Yes
UtahS4Yes
OregonS5Yes
Navajo NationS5Yes
IdahoS3Yes
ColoradoS4Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
WashingtonS4Yes
TexasS4BYes
ArizonaS5Yes
OklahomaS3Yes
New MexicoS5B,S5NYes
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS4BYes
Roadless Areas (159)
Alaska (1)
AreaForestAcres
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
Arizona (14)
AreaForestAcres
Blind Indian CreekPrescott National Forest26,847
BoulderTonto National Forest40,359
Butterfly Roadless AreaCoronado National Forest42,296
Cdo WsaCoronado National Forest1,955
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
Coconino RimKaibab National Forest7,213
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
Hell HoleApache-Sitgreaves National Forests15,512
Lime CreekTonto National Forest42,568
MazatzalTonto National Forest16,942
Middle Dragoon RoadlessCoronado National Forest10,543
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
Santa TeresaCoronado National Forest8,929
TumacacoriCoronado National Forest44,594
California (80)
AreaForestAcres
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest4,703
Benton RangeInyo National Forest9,637
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black CanyonInyo National Forest32,421
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest3,106
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Circle MountainSan Bernardino National Forest6,375
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
ColdwaterCleveland National Forest8,402
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest6,783
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Cucamonga BSan Bernardino National Forest11,933
Cucamonga CSan Bernardino National Forest4,106
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest14,530
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest3,046
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest29,886
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest7,884
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
Mystic (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest836
Nevahbe RidgeInyo National Forest302
No NameCleveland National Forest4,897
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
Pine CreekCleveland National Forest503
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
Soldier CanyonInyo National Forest40,589
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
TrabucoCleveland National Forest23,341
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
WaterhouseStanislaus National Forest4,394
West ForkAngeles National Forest1,169
WestforkAngeles National Forest4,407
WildhorseCleveland National Forest1,483
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Colorado (1)
AreaForestAcres
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Nevada (19)
AreaForestAcres
Angel Peak NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,577
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Charleston - Macks CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,378
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Duck Creek Mtns.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,165
Mystic (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,644
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
QuinnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest62,459
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Santa RosaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest54,555
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Snake - ChokecherryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest30,845
Snake - HatcheryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,627
Snake - MurphyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest27,064
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
Ward MountainHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,927
New Mexico (18)
AreaForestAcres
Arroyo de los FrijolesSanta Fe National Forest5,277
Aspen MountainGila National Forest23,784
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Candian RiverCibola National Forest7,149
Capitan MountainsLincoln National Forest14,069
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
Nichols ReservoirSanta Fe National Forest1,518
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Ryan HillCibola National Forest34,201
South Guadalupe MountainsLincoln National Forest20,930
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
Oregon (6)
AreaForestAcres
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
TahkenitchSiuslaw National Forest5,799
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (14)
AreaForestAcres
418021Uinta National Forest6,255
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418028Uinta National Forest34,002
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Box - Death HollowDixie National Forest3,175
Capital ReefDixie National Forest763
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Muddy Creek - Nelson Mt.Manti-Lasal National Forest59,034
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Washington (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Wyoming (2)
AreaForestAcres
0401035Ashley National Forest5,465
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
References (16)
  1. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in <i>The Auk</i>]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
  2. Balda, R. P., and G. C. Bateman. 1971. Flocking and annual cycle of the piñon jay, <i>Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus</i>. Condor 73:287-302.
  3. BirdLife International. 2004b. Threatened birds of the world 2004. CD ROM. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.
  4. Bureau of Land Management. Life History Summaries.
  5. Harrison, C. 1978. A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds. Collins, Cleveland, Ohio.
  6. Horn, H. S. 1968. The adaptive significance of colonial nesting in the Brewer's Blackbird. Ecology 49:682-694.
  7. Ligon, J. D. 1971. Late summer-autumnal breeding of the piñon jay in New Mexico. Condor 73:147-153.
  8. Moore, W. S., and R. A. Dolbeer. 1989. The use of banding recovery data to estimate dispersal rates and gene flow in avian species: case studies in the Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle. Condor 91:242-253.
  9. Parker III, T. A., D. F. Stotz, and J. W. Fitzpatrick. 1996. Ecological and distributional databases for neotropical birds. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
  10. Phillips, A. R. 1986. The known birds of North and Middle America: distribution and variations, migrations, changes, hybrids, etc. Part I, Hirundinidae to Mimidae, Certhiidae. Published by the author, Denver, Colorado. lxi + 259 pp.
  11. Poole, A. F. and F. B. Gill. 1992. The birds of North America. The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. and The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA.
  12. Tarvin, K. A., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1999. Blue Jay (<i>Cyanocitta cristata</i>). No. 469 IN A. Poole and F. Gill, editors. The birds of North America. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 32pp.
  13. Terres, J. K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
  14. Thompson, F. R., III. 1994. Temporal and spatial patterns of breeding brown-headed cowbirds in the midwestern United States. Auk 111:979-990.
  15. Williams, L. 1952b. Breeding behavior of the Brewer blackbird. Condor 54:3-47.
  16. Willson, M. F. 1966. Breeding ecology of the Yellow-headed Blackbird. Ecological Monographs 36:51-77.