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.

Call

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 son of the Great Tit.

Reproduction

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.

Habitat

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

Natural Food

Insects, larvae and seeds.

Where to Feed

Feeders – Ideally above 1m in height

Table – Not suitable

Ground – Not suitable