Crested Tit
Lophophanes cristatus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Crested Tit is a small, distinctive bird with a prominent black and white crest. Its body is primarily grey, with a black throat and collar. The face is white with a black eye stripe, and the wings and tail are darker grey.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles having a slightly duller crest.
Size
Length
11cm to 12cm
Wingspan
17cm to 20cm
Weight
10g to 13g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Black White
Secondary Colour
Buff
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Crested Tits are primarily found in coniferous and mixed forests across Europe and parts of Asia. They show a strong preference for mature pine forests, particularly Scots pine in northern Europe.
In the UK, their distribution is limited to the Caledonian pine forests of Scotland, making them a sought-after species for British birdwatchers. They are non-migratory and maintain their territories year-round.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,300 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Crested Tit. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Crested Tit is highly agile, often seen hanging upside down from branches whilst foraging. Their acrobatic nature and ability to manoeuvre through dense forest canopies demonstrate exceptional agility for a small bird.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small bird weighing only 10-13 grams, the Crested Tit has limited physical strength. However, they possess enough strength to excavate nest cavities in decaying wood and to crack open conifer seeds.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Crested Tits show good adaptability, particularly in their feeding habits. They switch from insects in summer to seeds in winter, and can create food caches. Their ability to lower body temperature at night for energy conservation also indicates strong adaptive traits.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
While not particularly aggressive, Crested Tits defend their territories and nesting sites. They're social birds that often join mixed-species flocks, suggesting a generally peaceful disposition with occasional territorial behaviour.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Crested Tits are non-migratory and maintain year-round territories in harsh northern climates, indicating good endurance. Their ability to survive winter conditions and forage extensively for food caches demonstrates considerable stamina for their size.
Diet
Crested Tits primarily feed on insects, spiders, and seeds. During the breeding season, they focus on caterpillars and other invertebrates. In autumn and winter, they switch to a diet dominated by conifer seeds, often creating caches of food in bark crevices for later consumption.
Behaviour
Crested Tits are agile and acrobatic, often seen hanging upside down from branches while foraging. They are generally non-migratory and maintain territories year-round. These birds are social, frequently joining mixed-species flocks with other tits and small woodland birds, especially during winter.
Vocalisation
The Crested Tit's call is a distinctive, rolling 'bur-bur-bur' or 'ptur-ptur-ptur', often described as sounding like a tiny bicycle pump. Their song is a high-pitched, trilling 'si-si-si-si-si', typically delivered from high in the tree canopy. These vocalisations are crucial for territory defence and communication within flocks.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Crested Tits typically begins in April. Pairs are monogamous and often remain together for multiple seasons. They nest in tree cavities, often using old woodpecker holes or natural crevices in decaying wood.
The female constructs the nest using moss, hair, and spider webs. She lays a clutch of 4-8 white eggs with reddish-brown spots, which are incubated for about 13-16 days.
Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 18-21 days. Crested Tits usually raise one brood per year, occasionally two in favourable conditions.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Crested Tit is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and changes in forest management practices. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining mature coniferous forests and promoting sustainable forestry practices to ensure suitable habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Crested Tits in coniferous and mixed forests, especially in areas with mature pine trees.
- Listen for their distinctive rolling 'bur-bur-bur' call, often the first sign of their presence.
- Observe bird feeders in woodland gardens, where they may visit for sunflower seeds.
- In the UK, focus your search in Scotland, particularly the Caledonian pine forests.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators of Crested Tits include small raptors such as Sparrowhawks and Merlins, as well as squirrels and pine martens that may raid nests for eggs or chicks.
Did You Know?
- Crested Tits have specialised feathers on their crest that they can raise or lower to communicate with other birds.
- They have a unique adaptation for winter survival: they can lower their body temperature at night to conserve energy.
- In some areas, Crested Tits create food caches containing thousands of seeds, which they remember and retrieve throughout the winter.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Lophophanes cristatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22711810A87427182.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
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