The Bushtit is a tiny, long-tailed bird of western scrublands and suburban gardens that moves in loose, chattering flocks of 10–40 birds. It builds a remarkable, woven, gourd-shaped nest with a side entrance that hangs from a tree branch — construction takes over a month, and the nest stretches as the chicks grow. Males in some populations have a black 'bandit mask.'
Best time to see a Bushtit
The best time to see a Bushtit is January–July, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 36,492 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Bushtit? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Bushtit sightings near you
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