Psaltriparus minimus

Went for a long bird walk at Garin Regional Park in Fremont this afternoon. I had tremendous success! I saw several migrant species for the first time this year, including a Pacific-Slope Flycatcher and pairs of Western Kingbirds and Bullock's Orioles. I am so happy to see them again.

The species I saw the most of today was this bite-sized bird, the Bushtit. It is the sole North American member of the long-tailed tit family, a group that is heavily represented in Europe. Bushtits tend to forage though oak chaparral habitat in large groups, constantly vocalizing with metallic tinkly notes. They are awfully tiny at just 11 cm long. I found it totally cute that this tiny bird was perched amongst tiny pine cones, like a scene in miniature.