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Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus

Migration of Bushtits 

Flocks of Bushtits move upslope in the Sierra Nevada range after breeding. And move into desert riparian areas in fall and winter. We seem to have them all year at the Santa Margarita Nursery.

How to attract Bushtits to your garden

Bushtits forage in large talkative groups. They also come to the bird bath together! A bird bath can be a great addition to a garden.

Bushtits like dense undergrowth for cover as well as a source of insects and spiders. Usually your garden shrubs are an excellent source of insects and spiders. Here are two of their favorite native shrubs:

Mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus spp. provides excellent cover as well as foraging area. It makes a tall narrow hedge excellent for blocking out your neighbors.

California Juniper, Juniperus californica is also well liked by flocks of Bushtits.

A Bushtit eating the flowers of  a Arctostaohylos Austin Griffin manzanita while hanging upside down. - grid24_12
A small flock of Bushtits spent many minutes checking the snowberries flow seeds and bugs as the leaves were falling for winter. - grid24_12
Bushtit eating the flowers of Arctostaphylos Austin Griffin - grid24_12
A Bushtit eating the aphids off of the Milkweed. - grid24_12
Mom and pop Bushtit at birdbath - grid24_12

Habitat/Plant Communities used by Bushtits

The bushtit prefers dense cover and an availability of insects. They may be found in a variety of brushy habitats.

Sagebrush scrub

Northern coastal scrub

Coastal sage scrub

Chaparral

Northern Oak Woodland

Central Oak Woodland

Southern Oak Woodland

Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

Return to Bird page

Check out the butterflies

A bushtit setting on Baccharis with a breeze blowing in his face - grid24_12
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Edited on Oct 18, 2012. Authors:
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