Skidaway Audubon News: Tufted Titmouse

Did you know that the tufted Titmouse, a diminutive bird with an odd name, may someday play a role in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders?

The titmouse is known for its tuft of feathers atop its head, but inside that head may be the key to finding solutions to memory disorders. A team of Columbia University neurosurgeons is studying the tufted titmouse because of its ability to remember where it hides seeds that it plans to eat later. According to the researchers, these tiny birds have larger hippocampi, the part of the brain responsible for spatial memory, that maps one’s surroundings. Chickadees also have the ability to recall where they hid their seeds, and are being studied as well.

The majority of birds do not create food stashes. Known hoarders, besides the titmouse and chickadee, include the nuthatch, and some woodpeckers, jays, and crows. Among the popular hiding places are behind tree bark, a knot in a tree branch, or other crevice. According to Cornell University experts, a chickadee  often will hide seeds within 130 feet of the birdfeeder it frequents. One study found a chickadee can recall where it hid a seed nearly a month later.

In addition to seeds, the titmouse also eats insects, so it is a welcome visitor to gardens and yards. Creating a bird-friendly environment can be as easy as adding native plants to your garden, avoiding pesticides, and keeping cats indoors. Consider replacing part of your lawn with native plants, which require less chemicals, less fertilizer, and since they are more drought-tolerant, less water, too. For more information on native plants click here. Visit Skidaway Audubon's website (https://skidawayaudubon.org/) to learn more about events, volunteer opportunities, and how to donate.