Baeolophus


Baeolophus is a genus of birds in the family Paridae, commonly called tits. Its members are known as titmouses or titmice. All the species are native to North America. In the past, most authorities retained Baeolophus as a subgenus within the genus Parus, but treatment as a distinct genus, initiated by the American Ornithological Society, is now widely accepted.

Etymology

The genus name Baeolophus translates to small crested and is a compound of the Ancient Greek words : baiós - small, and : lόphοs - crest.

Taxonomy

The genus contains the following five species:
ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Baeolophus wollweberiBridled titmouseArizona and New Mexico to Southern Mexico
Baeolophus inornatusOak titmousePacific coast from Baja California to Oregon
Baeolophus ridgwayiJuniper titmouseThe Great Basin and adjacent areas
Baeolophus bicolorTufted titmouseEastern half of the US and southeastern Canada
Baeolophus atricristatusBlack-crested titmouseOklahoma and Texas to east-central Mexico