Parus Cristatus - Crested Tit

Description

Crested Tits have a relatively large head, which is a dirty white with a neat black crescent-shape running through and behind the eye, a black bib and collar. The pointed crest, which is speckled with black and white, is unique to British birds of this size. The upperparts are grey-brown, the underparts are whitish with buff coloured flanks. Male and female are alike. Juveniles are browner, have a less pointed crest, and lack the black collar.

Voice

The call is a soft, bubbly trill that, when repeated, becomes the bird's song.

Feeding

Crested Tits forage on the ground and among the low branches of pine forests in search of insects, spiders, and pine seeds. They will visit bird tables in gardens.

Breeding

The nest is built by the female in a hole excavated in rotten wood, for example: stump of a tree, or partly dead tree. The nest cup is made from moss and lichen, lined with hair, wool and spiders' webs.
Nest boxes filled with sawdust and wood shavings are sometimes used.
The smooth, glossy eggs are white with purplish-red speckles and blotches, and about 16 mm by 13 mm. Incubation is by the female only. The young are fed by both parents. After fledging, they become independent after another 3 weeks.
After the breeding season, Crested Tits often form social groups, sometimes with other species such as Coal Tits and Goldcrests.

Distribution

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