The best known in Germany are the blue tit and the great tit. But there are a few other species of tit that are native here. They are introduced in this post.

In a nutshell

  • Tits are often cave breeders
  • live everywhere in gardens, parks and forests or also in wet areas
  • are among the smallest bird species
  • no migratory birds, at best partial migrants
  • all tit species move very skilfully in branches and are often quick and restless

Bearded Tit - Panurus biarmicus

The bearded tit does not belong to the actual titmice, instead it is one of the so-called thrush titmice, which are mainly native to Asia. The black "beard" on the bird's face gives it its name.

  • Size: 14 to 15 cm
  • Features: Plumage predominantly cinnamon brown, head grey, beak strikingly orange, tail very long, females with a more brownish beak, less conspicuous plumage markings, no beard, young birds similar to the females with dark markings on the upper side and the sides of the tail
  • Happen: rather rare in Germany, most likely in northern Germany, breeds on water bodies in reed beds
  • Food: insects and reed seeds
  • brood: April to July, in suitable weather up to 3 broods per year, 4 to 6 eggs, does not breed in caves, often nests in colonies, nest is built in reeds, just above the ground or the water surface

Penduline Tit - Remiz pendulinus

This tit does not belong to the tit family either, but to the penduline tit. Typical of this species is the pouch nest hanging from the tips of branches. In appearance they resemble the red-backed shrike.

Source: Wojsyl, Remiz gniazdo, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Height and weight: 10 to 12 cm, about 20 g
  • Features: Chestnut-brown back, otherwise predominantly grey, belly somewhat yellowish, conspicuous black face mask around the eyes, gray beak, gender differences hardly conspicuous, female penduline tit less contrasting, juveniles without face mask
  • Happen: rare in Germany, more common in eastern Central Europe, nests in lowland forests, riparian thickets with willow or poplar stands, rare in winter
  • Food: Insects, spiders and seeds in winter
  • brood: April to June, one brood per year, 5 to 8 eggs, pouch nest with entry tube is often built above the water, it consists of cobwebs, plant fibers and seed wool

Notice: Penduline tit likes to nest in colonies.

Blue Tit - Parus caeruleus

Blue tits can often be recognized at first glance, there is no other bird with similar plumage colors. This little tit is often found in gardens, it moves very skillfully, even upside down.

  • Height and weight: 10 to 12 cm, 8 to 11 g
  • Features: blue-yellow plumage, blue top of head, black eye stripe, blue wings, yellow belly, hardly any sex differences, females are a bit paler, young birds are even lighter colored
  • Happen: common everywhere, breeds in gardens, woods or parks, prefers oak stands
  • Food: Insects and their stages of development, spiders, fine seeds, small nuts, like to come to the bird feeder in winter
  • brood: April to June, one to two broods per year, depending on the weather, 6 to 12 eggs, cave breeders in tree cavities, nest boxes, wall holes or other suitable locations

Crested Tit - Parus cristatus

Typical and eponymous for this tit is the eye-catching hood. Although the crested tit is native to us, it is less common than other tit species.

  • Height and weight: 11 to 12 cm, 10 to 12 g
  • Features: black and white grained hood, brown plumage, hardly any gender differences, young birds grayer, hood less conspicuous
  • Happen: very site-loyal, in forests, especially in coniferous forests, but also in deciduous forests
  • Food: Insects, larvae, spiders, seeds of coniferous trees, smaller nuts
  • brood: April to June, one to two broods per year, 4 to 8 eggs, nests in tree cavities, tree stumps, also inhabits old squirrel nests, can build the breeding cavity itself

Notice: Sometimes this tit also nests in inhabited nests of birds of prey.

Great Tit - Parus major

The great tit is one of the largest native tit species and is also the most common native tit. The black and white head is striking.

great tit
  • Height and weight: 13 to 15 cm, 14 to 22 g
  • Features: yellow basic color of the plumage, black longitudinal stripe in the middle of the breast, greenish-bluish wings, females with a thinner middle line, young birds still black-brown on the head, yellow cheeks, less contrasting colour
  • Happen: common everywhere
  • Food: Insects, larvae, nuts, seeds, spiders
  • brood: April to July, one to two broods per year, 6 to 12 eggs, nests in tree cavities, nest boxes and wall holes

Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus

The long-tailed tit is not closely related to the actual titmouse, it belongs to the long-tailed tit family. Typical and eponymous for this songbird is the long tail.

  • Height and weight: 13 to 16 cm, 7 to 10 g
  • Features: Depending on the subspecies, with a white or black and white striped head, plumage in high-contrast grey, white, black and reddish brown, hardly any sex differences, young birds still have a shorter tail and darker cheeks
  • Happen: as very sociable, often on the move in small groups, partial migrants, in winter often at bird feeders, otherwise native to forests near water bodies, also in gardens and parks with a lot of undergrowth, at field edges or in bog woods
  • Food: Insects and spiders, seeds in winter
  • brood: April to June, one to two broods per year, 8 to 12 eggs, no cavity breeders, builds egg-shaped nests in trees or high bushes, conspecifics support each other in raising the young

Marsh Tit - Parus palustris

Contrary to its name, the marsh tit is not only native to damp locations. She also visits gardens and parks, comes to bird feeders and can be seen hiding seeds.

  • Size: 11 to 13 cm
  • Features: Appearance more gray, less colorful than other tits, light cheeks, black top of head, hardly any sex differences, young birds with matt black top of head
  • Happen: in deciduous and mixed forests, gardens and parks, also on overgrown field edges, although rarely seen everywhere
  • Food: Insects, larvae, spiders, thistle, herb and grass seeds
  • brood: April to May, one brood per year, 7 to 9 eggs, nests in tree cavities, in knotholes or between tree roots, rarely accepts nest boxes

Coal Tit - Parus ater

This tit resembles the great tit but is paler and smaller. It is the smallest native tit species.

  • Height and weight: 11cm, 8 to 10g
  • Features: black head, white cheeks and white nape patch, hardly any sex differences, coal tit juveniles paler, white patches more yellowish
  • Happen: Native of fir and spruce forests, sometimes also pine forests, outside of the breeding season also in deciduous forests, otherwise in gardens and parks with dense trees
  • Food: Insects, larvae, conifer seeds, nuts, spiders
  • brood: April to June, usually 2 broods per year, 5 to 12 eggs, nests in tree cavities, holes in the ground and walls, prefers nesting boxes that are not hung too high

Willow Tit - Parus montanus

Because they prefer swampy areas, the willow tit is less common than other tit species. This tit is very similar to the marsh tit.

  • Height and weight: 12cm, 11g
  • Features: black head with white cheeks, brown plumage, dark gray wings
  • Happen: Native of swampy deciduous forests, also in dry clearings in young woods, rarely in gardens or parks
  • Food: Insects, spiders, small seeds
  • brood: April to May, one brood, 7 to 9 eggs, builds its own den in rotten deciduous trees

frequently asked Questions


How can tits be supported in the garden?

Not only tits, but also other bird species benefit from nesting aids, feeding and watering places. They should always be placed or attached in a cat-safe manner. It is also helpful if the garden is designed to be as natural as possible.

What enemies do tits have?

The main enemies of tits are cats and birds of prey such as hawks. Eggs and young birds are also prey for martens or even squirrels. A metal plate should be placed around the entrance hole to prevent woodpeckers from entering the nest box. Humans also make it difficult for tits to survive by using poisons in the garden, removing shelter or food plants for insects, or destroying breeding sites.

Are tits useful?

Tits mainly eat insects and are therefore beneficial in the garden. Smaller tit species sometimes even eat aphids. Otherwise caterpillars are also on the menu.

Category:

Animals in the garden