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A tit is not the same as a tit. Habitat, size, weight as well as food and numerous other factors can sometimes differ significantly between the subspecies.

In a nutshell

  • twelve native tit species are comparatively widespread
  • Appearance differs mainly in relation to the plumage
  • rarer species should be fed, especially in urban areas

Balkan Tit

  • Number of eggs: eight to ten
  • Appearance: Distinctive black hood, light gray face, medium gray body
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: 18 days each
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes
  • Wing span: 24 cm
  • Weight: 24g
  • Size: 14cm
  • Habitat: Southeastern European and Asian cultural landscapes and forests
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds and berries
  • Scientific name: Poecile lugubris
  • Migratory birds: no
Source: Steve Riall, Poecile lugubris, Bulgaria 1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0

bearded tit

  • Number of eggs: comparatively small with four to seven eggs
  • Appearance: Distinctive blue hood, fair face, yellow-green body
  • Special feature: can imitate voices
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling periods: 14 and 12 to 14 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes, humans
  • Wing span: 18 cm
  • Weight: 17g
  • Size: 15cm
  • Habitat: Forests, parks, gardens but also cemeteries
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds and berries
  • Scientific name: Panurus biarmicus
  • Migratory birds: yes

blue tit

  • Number of eggs: nine to 15
  • Appearance: Distinctive blue hood, fair face, yellow-green body
  • Special feature: can imitate voices
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: 15 and 20 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes, humans
  • Wing span: 20 cm
  • Weight: 10g
  • Size: about eleven to twelve centimeters
  • Habitat: Forests, parks, gardens but also cemeteries
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds and berries
  • Scientific name: Parus caeruleus
  • Migratory birds: partly in Germany but resident bird

crested tit

  • Appearance: prominent black and white crest, striped face, medium to dark brown body
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: incubation lasts 16 to 18 days, nestling duration 20 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes
  • Wing span: 20 cm
  • Weight: 10 g to approx. 13 g
  • Size: 11cm
  • Habitat: Forests, gardens and parks
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds, spiders
  • Scientific name: Lophophanes cristatus or the synonym Parus cristatus
  • Migratory birds: in some countries yes, but in Germany it is a resident bird

great tit

  • Number of eggs: eight to twelve
  • Appearance: Distinctive black hood, light gray face, green markings, medium gray body
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: incubation lasts 14 days, nestling duration 20 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes
  • Wing span: 25 cm
  • Weight: 20g
  • Size: 14cm
  • Habitat: Cultural landscapes and forests, gardens and parks
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds
  • Scientific name: Parus major
  • Migratory birds: in some countries yes, but in Germany it is a resident bird
great tit

long-tailed tit

  • Number of eggs: eight to twelve
  • Appearance: Distinctive black hood, light gray face, green markings, medium gray body
  • Special feature: very long tail feather
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: incubation lasts 14 days, nestling duration 16 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes
  • Wing span: 18 cm
  • Weight: 8 to 10 g
  • Size: 15cm
  • Habitat: Cultural landscapes and forests, gardens and parks
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds
  • Scientific name: Aegithalos caudatus
  • Migratory Birds: Yes

coal tit

  • Number of eggs: five to ten
  • Appearance: Distinctive black crest, white face, blue and white wings, medium gray to tan body
  • Special feature: comparatively long tail feather
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: incubation lasts 14 days, nestling duration 21 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes, squirrels
  • Wing span: 20 cm
  • Weight: about 10g
  • Size: 11cm
  • Habitat: Cultural landscapes and forests, gardens and parks
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds
  • Scientific name: Parus ater
  • Migratory Birds: Yes

willow tit

  • Number of eggs: six to nine
  • Appearance: Distinctive black crest, white face, blue and white wings, medium gray to tan body
  • Distinctive feature: Black head, gray wings, light underside
  • Number of broods per year: one
  • Incubation and nestling duration: incubation lasts 14 days, nestling duration 16 days
  • Enemies: humans, birds of prey, cats, snakes, diseases
  • Wing span: 18 cm
  • Weight: about 11g
  • Size: 12cm
  • Habitat: Cultural landscapes and forests, gardens and parks
  • Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, seeds
  • Scientific name: Parus montanus or Poecile montanus
  • Migratory Birds: Yes

frequently asked Questions

What can be fed in summer?

Light seeds but also worms and larvae are favorable. However, fatty foods should be avoided. The so-called tit dumplings therefore do not belong on the summer menu. In winter, however, they are useful.

How to attract and protect tits

Bird baths and bird baths are wonderful additions to bird feeders. A protective ring on the tree to keep martens, cats and other predators away is also useful. In addition, nesting boxes can be hung up, since some tits are so-called cave breeders who like to accept the protection of the box.

How do I set up the garden tit-friendly?

Nesting boxes, bird feeders, bird baths, but also "wild" corners with high grass and bushes are ideal for the birds. It is also beneficial not to trim the hedges during the breeding season and not to use pesticides. Repelling free-roaming cats also helps conserve the tits and attract them to the garden as beneficial insects.

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Category:

Animals in the garden