Willow Tit

Poecile montanus

Least Concern
Very similar in appearance to the more common marsh tit, willow tits are small, elusive birds, found in wooded wetlands and gravel tits. Unique among members of the tit family, willow tits excavate their own nest cavities in the trunks of decaying trees.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Willow Tit is a small, compact bird with a distinctive dull black cap and bib. Its upperparts are greyish-brown, while the underparts are pale buff to whitish. The cheeks are white, creating a contrast with the dark cap.

Both sexes look alike, with juveniles resembling adults but showing slightly duller plumage. The Willow Tit maintains its appearance year-round, with no seasonal plumage changes.

Size

Length

11cm to 12cm

Wingspan

17cm to 19cm

Weight

9g to 14g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey Buff

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Willow Tit can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Willow Tit can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Willow Tit is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Willow Tits inhabit damp deciduous and mixed woodlands, with a preference for areas with willows, alders, and birches. They are found across northern and central Europe and Asia, extending into Siberia.

In the UK, they are more common in northern and western regions, becoming scarcer in the south and east. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, as they are non-migratory.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,275 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Willow 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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Austria Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Italy Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Netherlands Romania Russia Slovakia Slovenia Sweden Switzerland The United Kingdom Ukraine
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina China Japan Kazakhstan Moldova Mongolia Montenegro North Korea Norway Poland Serbia South Korea
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Spain

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird 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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Willow Tit demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in its acrobatic foraging behaviour. Its ability to hang upside down on thin branches whilst searching for food showcases its nimbleness and dexterity.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small bird weighing between 9-14 grams, the Willow Tit possesses limited strength. However, it does exhibit some muscular capability in excavating its own nest cavities in soft, rotting wood.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Willow Tits show considerable adaptability, particularly in their feeding habits. They switch from insects in summer to seeds and berries in winter, and their food caching behaviour demonstrates foresight and adaptability to seasonal changes.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, Willow Tits are territorial and maintain their breeding territories year-round. They may display some aggression in defending these areas, but are generally not known for highly aggressive behaviour.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Willow Tit's endurance is evidenced by its ability to survive harsh winters through food caching and its non-migratory nature. Its capacity to excavate its own nest cavities also suggests a degree of physical endurance.

Diet

Willow Tits primarily feed on insects and spiders during the breeding season, switching to seeds and berries in autumn and winter. Crane flies are among the most commonly eaten insect prey.

They are known to cache food, storing seeds in bark crevices and among lichens for later consumption, a behaviour crucial for winter survival. They'll occasionally visit garden feeders in winter.

Behaviour

Willow Tits are known for their acrobatic foraging, often hanging upside down to reach food on thin branches. They are generally sedentary and territorial, maintaining their breeding territories throughout the year.

These birds are typically seen in pairs or small family groups, especially outside the breeding season.

Vocalisation

The Willow Tit's call is a distinctive, nasal 'zee-zee-zee' or 'tchay-tchay-tchay', often described as more wheezy than other tit species. Their song is a simple, repeated 'tiu-tiu-tiu' phrase, typically delivered from a high perch during the breeding season.

Another frequently heard call repeats an ‘ipsee, ipsee’ sound several times in quick succession.

Nesting & Breeding

Willow Tits form monogamous pairs and begin breeding in late April or early May. They are unique among tits for excavating their own nest cavities in soft, rotting wood, often in stumps or dead trees. Both sexes drill out the hollow. Then, the pair carries the chippings a short distance away in an attempt to detract attention from the nest site.

The female typically lays 6-9 white eggs with reddish-brown speckles. The nest is lined with soft materials such as fur, feathers, and plant down.

Incubation lasts about 13-15 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 18-21 days but continue to receive parental care for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While globally listed as Least Concern, Willow Tit populations have declined significantly in some regions, particularly in the UK. Habitat loss and fragmentation are primary threats.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving and restoring suitable woodland habitats, especially those with decaying wood for nesting.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

175,000,000 - 253,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Willow Tits in damp woodlands and willow thickets
  • Listen for their nasal 'zee-zee-zee' call, which is distinctive from other tits
  • Observe their behaviour at bird feeders, which they often visit in winter
  • In the UK, pay attention to subtle differences from the similar Marsh Tit, such as the Willow Tit's duller cap and pale wing panel

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Brown-capped Tit

Family:

Paridae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Max Lifespan

11.3 years [4]

Predators

Main predators of Willow Tits include sparrowhawks, small owls, and mammals such as pine martens and weasels. Nest predation by woodpeckers and squirrels can also occur.

Did You Know?

  1. Willow Tits have an excellent spatial memory, remembering the locations of hundreds of food caches.
  2. They are one of the few British birds that excavate their own nest cavities.
  3. In some areas, Willow Tits form mixed-species flocks with other tits during winter.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2019. Poecile montanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T155139697A155139155.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2018: EBCC

  3. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

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