Coal Tit Identification

Length: 11cm

Together, with the Blue Tit, the Coal Tit is one of the smallest tits of Europe. It is the only black-crowned tit with a large white patch on the nape. The Coal Tit has silky white cheeks and black bib and upper breast. The upper parts of of olive-grey with a narrow whit double wing bar. The under parts are off-white with buff flanks, the bill is black and the legs are a blue-grey.

The young Coal Tits have yellowish nape, cheeks and under parts.

Coal Tit Female Identification

Male and female coal tits are incredibly similar in size and appearance. The only way to really differentiate between the two is that males have an extra white stripe on the back of their heads. In addition, it is possible to identify juvenile coal tits via the distinctive yellow hue on their cheeks and napes.

What do coal tits sound like?

Similar to the Great Tit’s, although the Coal Tit’s wide range of calls are higher pitched. Their song resembles the so called saw-sharpening song of the Great Tit.

When and where do coal tits nest?

Breeding starts around late April. They will make their nests in holes in trees, walls or banks and occasionally the ground. The nest is a cup of moss lined with feathers and hair. They lay seven to nine smooth white eggs with fine speckles of a reddish-brown. The female alone incubates for fourteen to eighteen days. Both parents tend to the young.

Coal Tit Habitat

The Coal Tits live in coniferous and deciduous woodlands. They also like town parks and gardens.

What do coal tits eat?

Insects, larvae and seeds.

How long do coal tits live for?

Coal tits usually live for around two years. However, one known coal tit managed to reach the age of nine years and eight months.

How can you tell the difference between a great tit and a coal tit?

The first difference between these two birds is their size. The great tit is larger than the coal tit and is actually the largest of the common tit species. Secondly, these two birds have different coloured plumages. The great tit has a more distinctive plumage of yellow, green and black, whereas the coal tit has a duller, grey plumage.

Where to Feed

Feeders – Ideally above 1m in height

Table – Not suitable

Ground – Not suitable