Sunday Funday Monday Leftover Knowledge Drip
Every Monday at 7pm central, TipsyRoo and I host (except when we don't) a live community event where, collectively, we solve a NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle (without using internet search engines!). Each week following the episode I will select a clue/answer from that puzzle and I will delve further into the history & look for fun facts.
Additional note: the bird in the image of this post is not a tit; I believe it is a gnatcatcher. It was adorable and enjoyed my company while I was out hiking. I sat down near a fallen saguaro to watch this bird as it kept trying to get my attention. It would flutter close to me and then flutter away to the safety of the cactus.
Drip #11: Tit
Puzzle Date: March 14th, 2004
Puzzle Theme: Moonlighting
Episode: 51, recorded live on March 15th, 2021
Clue: Little bird
Answer: Tit
TIIIIIIIIIITS!
Now that I have acquired your attention through the use of a semi-misleading all-caps header and an exclamation point, let's dive into learning about tits. No, not them. And no, not those either. I'm referring to the species of birds.
I've always found birds of prey to be awe-inspiring (I suppose because they tend to be a fairly rare sight or maybe there's some sort of power related thing, I don't know) but it wasn't until I started learning more about our local wildlife that my interest in all birds was piqued. We've got a comfortable backyard seating area with visual access to 3 water fountains and these fountains are constantly being visited by a variety of unique creatures (not just birds!). In addition there's plenty of vegetation nearby for the birds to nest in, gather materials for nests, or just hang out.
This week, I initially started researching the word, 'snee', as it was suggested by a puzzling old man, but I found little information in my brief search with most of it being repeated (snickersnee is a large swordlike-knife, specifically used as a weapon). So I went with the one that next most interesting one: TIT! You know, one of those words similar to 'beaver', where it's fun to say but represents an adorable creature. Plus, I'm like interested in birds and stuff, so yeah, lets motor on through!
IDENTIFICATION
Tits are small, stocky birds with short, stout beaks and many have crests (soft and bendable head feathers). They range in size from 3.9 to 8.7 inches (for comparison, the common hot dog is 6 inches) and weigh roughly 0.18 to 1.73 ounces (common hot dog weighs about 1.6 ounces). (The European crested tit has a unique looking crest; it almost looks like its styled)
TYPES (species)
The wikipedia entry lists over 50 different types of tits (and titmouses...titmice?) and each one has its own entry (some with additional photos, go see!).
SUSTENANCE
Tits are insectivores and consume a large range of insects, including caterpillars; they will also eat nuts and seeds.
NEATO FACTS
One characteristic method of foraging in the family is hanging, where they inspect a branch or twig and leaves from all angles while hanging upside down to feed. Check out the video below to watch an adorable creature do adorable things, including hanging from a branch while foraging.
The Black-capped chicadee (found in the northern United States and Canada) can lower its body temperature by 12 C (from its normal 42 C, which is 107.6 F in the US' silly system) to conserve energy in the winter. The ability to do this is not common in birds.
Tits are cavity-nesting birds, typically using trees.
In March 2016, the Japanese tit made headlines when it was reported that experimental evidence for compositional syntax in bird calls was found, marking the first such evidence for that type of syntax in nonhuman animals.
ALL DONE
Thank you for reading! Until the next drip, be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and be kind to the Earth.
REFERENCES
Sunday Funday Monday is the brain-child (or maybe brain fart?) of TipsyRoo that I’ve been honored to be a part of as he continues to enjoy my dumb jokes. Past episodes can be found on YouTube. But it’s a much better viewing experience when viewed live. The puzzle’s a catalyst for interacting with the community, creating shared experiences, and fun learning or sometimes just a whole pile of dumb jokes.
