Crested Tit

Lophophanes cristatus

This charming little woodland bird stands out with its distinctive mohawk-like crest, often spotted flitting among pine trees in search of insects and seeds.

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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

The Crested Tit can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Crested Tit is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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