The great tit is a large tit and a bright colourful bird. A frequent garden visitor distinguished from other tits by its bold black stripe down its breast.
Great Tit Identification: What do great tits look like?
Length: 14cm.
The head and throat are black with bluish highlights, white cheeks and yellow under parts with a broad black bib down the middle. They have yellowish backs with olive-green on the nape and grey on the rump. Their flight feathers are black. It has a black bill and greyish-blue legs. Both sexes are alike, as is their summer and winter plumage. Where the adults have white parts the youngsters will have yellowish bits.
Great tit call and song
These birds have a very extensive vocabulary and can imitate a wide range of species. Constant calls can also be heard including a loud resonant ‘teecha-teecha-teecha’ as well as a ringing ‘zinc-zinc’.
When do great tits lay eggs and where do they nest?
Breeding starts from late March. The female builds a cup-shaped nest of roots, moss and grasses lined with hair, plant down and sometimes feathers. They nest in a hole in trees, rocks or walls, they may also use nest boxes.
They lay eight to thirteen white, with purplish-red speckles and blotches, eggs. The female alone incubates for about thirteen days. Both tend the young.
Great tit habitat
Great Tit’s like woodland, orchards, gardens and parks. They like areas with scattered trees.
What do great tits eat?
Insects, larvae, mollusc’s and earthworms. Also likes berries and seeds.
Where to feed
Feeders – Ideally above 1m in height
Table – Open topped or covered
Ground – Not suitable
