Great Tit
Least ConcernParus major
Visual Identification
Great Tit
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.
Size
Length
14cm to 16cm
Wingspan
24cm to 26cm
Weight
14g to 22g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Yellow Green Blue
Secondary Colour
White Black Olive
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 4,420 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
years
The Great Tit typically lives for 3 to 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 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.
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Kohlmeise, Mésange charbonnière
Family:
ParidaePredators
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.
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.
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FAQs
How to attract Great Tits?
Great Tits are one of the UK’s most abundant garden birds and are easily attracted to food, shelter, and water. These birds frequent bird feeders, where they enjoy suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. They will happily feed from hanging feeders, bird tables, or even from the ground.
Installing a nest box in your garden is a fantastic way to attract these birds, and they may even use it for roosting in the non-breeding season. A nest box with a 28-millimetre entrance hole placed one to five meters above the ground is ideal for these lovely birds.
They also enjoy visiting water sources where they can drink and bathe. The ideal birdbath for Great Tits is an inch or so deep, but a sloping design that reaches four inches (10 cm) will attract many other bird species.
Remember to clean your birdbaths and feeders regularly to maintain hygienic conditions for our feathered friends.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Parus major. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22735990A87431138.
View source - 3
report, 2007: del Hoyo et al.