A group of twittering, tiny gray birds streaming through bushes and trees and across openings surely are Bushtits.

Females' eyes are pale, males' dark. They are highly gregarious except when nesting. The intricately made sock-like nest is unusually large for the size of the bird.

Bushtits show a distinct indifference to humans and regularly nest within residential neighborhoods and establish foraging routs throughout many cities. They regularly take suet at bird feeding stations and visit backyard birdbaths.

The Bushtit is a fairly common resident throughout Oregon except in Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa counties and at higher elevations of mountain ranges, where it is a rare fall visitant.

Hear the call of the Bushtit

Photo by Dave Budeau, ODFW