Coal Tit
Least ConcernPeriparus ater
Visual Identification
Coal Tit
Appearance
The Coal Tit is a small bird, characterised by its black cap, white nape patch, and distinctive white cheek patches. Its upperparts are bluish-grey, while the underparts are buff to pale grey, creating a subtle contrast.
Both sexes look alike, with juveniles closely resembling adults but with slightly duller plumage.
Size
Length
10cm to 11.5cm
Wingspan
17cm to 21cm
Weight
8g to 10g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black Grey
Secondary Colour
White Buff
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Blue-grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Coal Tits are widely distributed across Europe and Asia, with a strong preference for coniferous and mixed woodlands. They are particularly abundant in areas with spruce, pine, and fir trees, providing food and nesting sites.
In the UK, Coal Tits are resident year-round and can be found in suitable habitats throughout the country, including gardens adjacent to woodlands. Their range extends from lowland to mountainous regions, adapting to various forest types.
Elevation Range
Up to 4,500 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Coal Tits primarily feed on small insects, spiders, and seeds. Their diet shifts seasonally, with a greater emphasis on insects during the breeding season and more seeds in winter.
They are excellent at extracting seeds from conifer cones and are frequent visitors to bird feeders.
Behaviour
Coal Tits are remarkably agile, often seen hanging upside down from branches while foraging. They are known for their 'hoarding' behaviour, storing seeds in bark crevices for later consumption.
They are highly social and frequently join mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season, enhancing their foraging efficiency and predator awareness.
Vocalisation
The Coal Tit's call is a high-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee-tsee' or 'pitchou', often repeated rapidly. Their song is a simple but melodious trill, typically described as 'tee-chu-chu-chu'.
During territorial disputes, they produce a distinctive rapid chattering sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Coal Tits typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which begins in late April or early May. Males court females with a combination of song and displays, often offering food as part of the courtship ritual.
Nests are usually built in tree holes, crevices, or ground, lined with moss, hair, and feathers. The female lays 7-11 small white eggs with reddish-brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 14-16 days, and it is primarily performed by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 16-19 days but continue to receive parental care for several weeks after that.
Lifespan
The Coal Tit typically lives for 2 to 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 9.5 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Coal Tits face challenges from habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse forest habitats and promoting sustainable forestry practices to ensure the species' long-term survival.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Coal Tits in coniferous forests and mixed woodlands
- Listen for their distinctive 'pitchou' call, which is higher-pitched than other tit species
- Observe bird feeders, where they often dart in quickly to grab seeds
- In the UK, watch for them in gardens, especially those near wooded areas
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Cole Tit
Family:
ParidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Coal Tits have been observed imitating the calls of other bird species, possibly as a defence mechanism.
- They can store up to 800 food items daily, remembering numerous cache locations.
- Coal Tits have a special adaptation that allows them to hold food under their tongue while foraging.
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FAQs
Distinguishing between Coal Tit, Willow Tit and Marsh Tit
In appearance, you are more likely to have difficulty distinguishing the Willow Tit and the Marsh Tit from the coal tit than other tits found within the UK.
This is mainly due to their size and overall colour, which is smaller and duller than Blue Tits or Great Tits. Neither the marsh nor the willow tit has wing bars, whereas the coal tit has two and the blue tit and great tit only one.
The coal tit is also the only one to have a distinctive white patch on its nape. They will often nest almost at ground level in old tree stumps and are the smallest tit resident on our shores.
References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Periparus ater (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22735965A118835425.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
journalArticle, 2006: Moller, Sociality, age at first reproduction and senescence: comparative analyses of birds, J Evol Biol, 19:682-689
View source