Titmouse, traditional name for members of a
        family of songbirds. The only birds still called
        titmice are the crested North American
        species, such as the tufted titmouse (Parus
        bicolor). It is a gray bird with rusty flanks
        and measures about 15 cm (about 6 in) long.
        The noncrested American species are called
        chickadees; all are small birds with black or
        brown caps and bibs. Titmice are gregarious
        most of the year and forage in flocks with
        other species. When the breeding season
        begins, pairs leave the flock and set up
        territories. Titmice nest in holes in trees or in
        nest boxes.
        Scientific classification: Titmice belong to
        the genus Parus of the family Paridae, order
        Passeriformes.