ML646846716

Observation details

Some suggestion that this species will ultimately be relumped with Tufted, perhaps based on extensive hybridization, some examples of which are sometimes encountered not far from here. I spent a minimum of time trying to track one of these down despite having never recorded it before, but was still glad to get this one in the very top of a tree at this dog park. Naturally I then almost immediately encountered another near the friend's home where I am staying in Austin. The bird is indeed much like a Tufted, except for the black crest--it felt perhaps smaller and jauntier, but I didn't have amazing looks or time for study, as it continued moving along with the mixed flock it was associated with. The audio, however is quite distinct from at least New York area Tufted Titmouse, and even birdNET, without location access enabled, returns a result of Black-crested vs. Tufted. If this is a race rather than a species, it is quite particular.