titmouse

noun, plural tit·mice [tit-mahys] /ˈtɪtˌmaɪs/.

1. any of numerous, widely distributed, small songbirds of the family Paridae, especially of the genus Parus, having soft, thick plumage and a short, stout, conical bill.

noun plural -mice

1. (usually plural) any small active songbird of the family Paridae, esp those of the genus ParusSee tit 1

n.“small, active bird,” early 14c., titmose, from tit (n.2), expressing something small, + Old English mase “titmouse,” from Proto-Germanic *maison (cf. Dutch mees, German meise), from adj. *maisa- “little, tiny.” Spelling influenced 16c. by unrelated mouse.