About the Great Tit
The great tit is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is widespread and common throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and as far east as the Amur River. It also occurs in parts of North Africa where it is generally resident in any sort of woodland. Most great tits do not migrate, except in extremely harsh winters. Until 2005 this species was lumped with numerous other subspecies. However, DNA studies have revealed that these subspecies are distinct from the great tit, and they have now been classified as two distinct species, the cinereous tit of southern Asia, and the Japanese tit of East Asia. The great tit remains the most widespread species in the genus Parus.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The great tit is large for a tit at 12.5 to 14 cm (4+7⁄8–5+1⁄2 in) in length, and has a distinctive appearance that makes it easy to recognise. The nominate race P. major major has a bluish-black crown, black neck, throat, bib and head, and white cheeks and ear coverts. The breast is bright lemon-yellow and there is a broad black mid-line stripe running from the bib to vent. There is a dull white spot on the neck turning to greenish yellow on the upper nape. The rest of the nape and back are green tinged with olive. Voice: The great tit is, like other tits, a vocal bird, and has up to 40 types of calls and songs. The calls are generally the same between the sexes, but the male is much more vocal and the female rarely calls. Soft single notes such as "pit", "spick", or "chit" are used as contact calls. A loud "tink" is used by adult males as an alarm or in territorial disputes.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Great Tit sounds like
Where the Great Tit lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, India, Canada, North Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan.
When to see the Great Tit
Peak activity in June · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Cinereous TitParus cinereusLike others in the genus, it has a broad black ventral line and has no crest.
Green-backed TitParus monticolusThe green-backed tit is a species of bird in the family Paridae.
Side by side: Cinereous Tit vs Great Tit
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