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Great Tit

Great Tit. Photo by David WaistellThe Great Tit has all the characters of the other tits and is unmistakable, given its large, robust size, relatively heavy bill and domed head. The head pattern shows a black cap (glossy in males), neck collar and bib set against white cheeks. The back is green turning blue-grey towards the rump and tail and on to the wings. The underside is a bright lemon yellow with a central black stripe running down from the throat. This black stripe is wider and more strongly developed in males than it is in females. Sometimes in the field you can see that in the male the black stripe extends across the belly to the base of both legs, while in the female it is not so broad and does not reach the legs.

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Great Tits make a range of calls, including the scolding ‘cha-cha-cha’ that has a strong nasal quality. The most familiar sound is the basic song, usually described as ‘teacher-teacher’.

Although adults will feed themselves on sunflower hearts and other seeds, they need to find plenty of caterpillars for their growing youngsters. Parentsare likely to collect these from near-by trees and garden shrubs.

Great Tit nest and eggs. Photo by Richard Castell Small nest box with 28mm hole
Height: 1m to 5m above ground with clear flight path to entrance
The nest consists of twigs or course, dried roots, then there is a layer of moss and a lining of soft material such as hair.
Egg-laying starts between late March and early July. Sometimes two broods.
5 to 12 eggs. White with speckling, more on one end.
Incubation 12-16 days
Nestlings fledge after 18-24 days.
Great Tit nest and chicks. Photo by Richard Castell

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