Species Profile

Great Tit

Parus major

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

3–5 years

Length

14–16 cm

Weight

14–22 g

Wingspan

24–26 cm

Migration

Resident

This bold, charismatic songbird, with its bold black stripe and yellow belly, is a common sight in gardens and woodlands across Eurasia.

Also known as: Kohlmeise, Mésange charbonnière

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Gallery

Male left, and female right, Great tits - males have a larger black stripe down the breast

Appearance

The Great Tit is a striking small bird with a distinctive black head and white cheeks. Its back is olive-green, wings are blue-grey with a white wing bar, and its underparts are bright yellow with a bold black stripe down the centre.

Males have a wider black belly stripe compared to females. Juveniles are duller with yellowish cheeks. There are no significant seasonal plumage changes in this species.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary: Yellow
Secondary: White
Beak: Black
Legs: Grey

Attributes

Agility85/100

Strength40/100

Adaptability95/100

Aggression60/100

Endurance70/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Great Tits are widely distributed across Europe, parts of the Middle East, and Asia. They inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, gardens, and urban areas with sufficient tree cover.

They are resident year-round and common throughout the UK, adapting well to human-modified landscapes. Their range has been expanding northwards in recent decades, likely due to climate change and increased winter feeding by humans.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

England

United Kingdom

Cambridgeshire

Kent

Essex

Cornwall

Berkshire

Cumbria

Durham

East Sussex

Herefordshire

Merseyside

Leicestershire

Northumberland

Northamptonshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

Suffolk

Shropshire

Surrey

Isle of Wight

Staffordshire

Warwickshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

Norfolk

Lancashire

East Riding of Yorkshire

Northern Ireland

Dorset

South Yorkshire

Devon

Lincolnshire

Hampshire

London

Somerset

Rutland

West Sussex

Tyne and Wear

Cheshire

Nottinghamshire

Gloucestershire

Hertfordshire

Manchester

Derbyshire

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Scotland

Wales

Wiltshire

West Midlands

Bristol

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Diet

Great Tits have a varied diet, primarily consisting of insects, spiders, and seeds.

In spring and summer, they feed heavily on caterpillars and other invertebrates. During winter, they switch to more fruit, berries and seed-based diets, readily visiting bird feeders for sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Behaviour

Great Tits are bold and acrobatic foragers, often seen hanging upside down from branches to reach food. They are highly adaptable and curious, and they are known for their problem-solving abilities in accessing food sources. In social settings, they establish and maintain hierarchies through vocalisations and displays.

Calls & Sounds

Great Tits are known for their varied and complex vocalisations. Their most recognisable call is a clear, two-syllable 'teacher-teacher' or 'tee-cher tee-cher'. They also produce a scolding 'chur-chur-chur' when alarmed.

Males have a repertoire of over 40 different songs used in territorial defence and mate attraction.

Nesting & Breeding

Great Tits typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which begins in early spring. Males attract females with song and courtship feeding.

Nests are built in tree cavities, nest boxes, or even unusual places like letter boxes. The female constructs the nest using moss, grass, and animal hair. She lays 5-12 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 13-15 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 18-21 days. Great Tits often produce two broods per season in favourable conditions.

Conservation

While the Great Tit is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces challenges from habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable woodland habitats and providing nesting boxes in urban areas. Citizen science projects play a crucial role in monitoring population trends.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 430,300,000 - 710,000,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Stable^[2]

Elevation

Up to 4,420 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Main predators include sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and small mammals like weasels and squirrels. Nest predators such as woodpeckers and snakes also pose a threat to eggs and chicks.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Great Tits in gardens, parks, and woodlands
Listen for their distinctive 'teacher-teacher' call
Observe feeders, as they readily visit bird tables and nut feeders
Watch for their acrobatic foraging behaviour in trees
In the UK, participate in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch to contribute to population monitoring

Did You Know?

Great Tits can learn to recognise and avoid toxic prey by observing other birds.
They have been observed using tools like pine needles to extract larvae from bark.
In some urban areas, Great Tits have learned to open milk bottle tops to drink the cream.