It all began long long ago, in the 14th century when the Old English name for bird, “mase,” and “tit,” meaning something small, were put together to represent the Tufted Titmouse. Time went by, the word “mase,” morphed into “mose” which eventually became “mouse” and took on new thoughts of what it means. A quick little rodent?
They certainly do make one think of a little mouse. But we’ve got to remember that it’s not named because it resembles a mouse but it’s a “little bird!”
The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), a very common bird at my feeders and in the woods around my cabin. And it seems their best buddies are Chickadees. I see them so very often together. They’re close cousins, members of the family, Paridae.