Peanuts In My Pocket

On my weekend birding trip to Irvine Regional Park, I photographed an Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) for the very first time. In birding lingo, that’s called finding a “life bird,” which I’ve always thought sounded odd. I prefer the term “lifer.” Either way, it’s always a cause for a little victory dance.

There’s a pattern to my birding adventures: I wander around looking for new birds, usually spotting a few, then start feeling tired and head back to the car. But right when I’m within a stone’s throw of ending the day, I tend to find my best birds. That’s exactly what happened with the Oak Titmouse. I could have taken the shot from inside my car, but instead, I stood nearby watching a ranger search for rattlesnakes. I was intrigued by the chance of photographing a snake, but instead, I noticed this cute little bird foraging near some acorns. Naturally, I snapped a few shots.

Since I had never seen an Oak Titmouse before, I followed my usual ID routine: first, I used Apple’s photo app, then ChatGPT, and finally Merlin Bird ID. All three agreed, which gave me the confidence to log it as bird #128 in the 2025 Bird Nerd Project. I also managed to capture decent photos of an Acorn Woodpecker, a California Scrub-Jay, and a California Towhee, all from the same spot.

The Oak Titmouse is native to California and Oregon, and it’s occasionally seen in Baja California. These birds love oak woodlands but are also found in scrub, chaparral, and even backyards with the right trees. They’re homebodies, non-migratory and highly territorial, and they mate for life.

Their diet includes insects, spiders, acorns, and seeds. They’re active foragers, often seen hanging upside down like tiny feathered gymnasts. Their raspy, scratchy calls sound a bit like someone trying to start an old car: “tsicka-dee-dee-dee” or “peter-peter-peter.” Not exactly melodic, but definitely memorable.

As it turns out, I absolutely love these little beauties. I plan to return to Irvine Regional Park just to photograph them again. If you’re interested, I spotted these birds near the Coyote Corner Group area, close to the parking lot at the start of the Horseshoe Loop Trail.