Great Tit

Parus major

Genus · Great Tits and Allies Family · Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Observation tips Difficulty: EASY

Best time

🕒 Any

Activity

☀️ Diurnal

Best months

Observation habitat

Bird feederNest boxesTree branches

Look for the black 'tie' on the yellow breast. The wider the tie, the more likely the bird is a male. Very common at feeders year-round.

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats

Wingspan22–25 cm

Weight14–22 g

Length13–15 cm

Lifespan wild2–10 yrs

Size

Nesting

Nest typeCavity

Clutch size5–12 eggs

Incubation12–15 days

Breeding months

Regional Status (Europe)

Least Concern (Europe)

IUCN Red List

MigrationResident

Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries

🥩Fat

🦗Insects

🥜Nuts

🌻Seeds

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🏡 Garden🍎 Orchard🏙️ Urban

✦ Fun Fact

In the early 20th century, Great Tits in the UK famously learned to peck through the foil caps of milk bottles to steal the cream from the top.

About

The largest and most common European tit. It is a bold, intelligent, and adaptable bird. It lives in almost every habitat with trees. It is easily identified by its glossy black head, white cheeks, and yellow breast with a central black stripe. It is a dominant bird at feeders.

Behaviour

Great Tits have a wide range of songs. They are often called the 'sound of spring' due to their rhythmic song. They are cavity nesters and frequently use garden nest boxes. They are inventive foragers and can learn complex tasks to reach food.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a broad, solid black 'ventral stripe' that runs down the center of his yellow breast all the way between his legs.

♀ Female

The black stripe on her breast is much narrower. It often becomes broken or faint as it reaches the belly.

Similar species

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