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The common chickadee, found in the United States.

Common chickadee

The common chickadee, found in the United States.

The tits, chickadees, and titmice comprise Paridae, a large family of small passerine birds which occur in the northern hemisphere and Africa. Most were formerly classified in the genus Parus. These birds are called "chickadees" (onomatopoeic, derived from their distinctive "chick-a dee dee dee" communication or alarm call) or "titmice" in North America, and just "tits" in the rest of the English speaking world. The name titmouse is attested from the 14th century, composed of the Old English name for the bird, mase (Proto-Germanic *maison, German Meise) and tit, denoting something small. The spelling was influenced by mouse in the 16th century.

Tit Bird

The tits, chickadees, and titmice comprise Paridae, a large family of small passerine birds which occur…

One of the most common species of titmouse, the bearded tit is found in Middle Europe.

Bearded Tit

One of the most common species of titmouse, the bearded tit is found in Middle Europe.

Commonly found throughout Europe, the blue titmouse is known for destroying the buds of flowers, and is not well-liked by gardeners for this reason.

Blue Tit

Commonly found throughout Europe, the blue titmouse is known for destroying the buds of flowers, and…

The crested tit prefers the colder climes of Northern Europe, being common in Denmark, Sweden, Russia, as well as portions of Switzerland and Germany.

Crested Tit

The crested tit prefers the colder climes of Northern Europe, being common in Denmark, Sweden, Russia,…

The great titmouse feeds on seeds and small insects, such as flies.

Great Tit

The great titmouse feeds on seeds and small insects, such as flies.

The tit is indeed the incarnation of motion; it is continually skipping from branch to branch...(Figuier, 1869).

Crested Titmouse

The tit is indeed the incarnation of motion; it is continually skipping from branch to branch...(Figuier,…

The most noted of the titmice, the long-tailed titmouse is about five and a half inches in length, half of which is made up of its tail. In America, titmice are known as chickadees.

Long-Tailed Titmouse

The most noted of the titmice, the long-tailed titmouse is about five and a half inches in length, half…