ExploreBirds

Great Tit

Parus major

The Great Tit is a colorful bird with a bright yellow belly and a black cap on its head. It loves to sing cheerful songs and can often be seen hopping around trees and gardens looking for food.

Habitat: Forests and gardens

Appearance

The Great Tit has a distinctive bright yellow belly with a prominent black stripe running down its middle. It features a glossy black head, striking white cheek patches, and a green back, making it easily identifiable from similar birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyParidaeGenusParus
Great Tit
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgesinging trait badgecolorful trait badge
Great Tit

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A Great Tit can lay over 10 eggs in a single clutch! That's a lot of siblings!

In winter, they can lose up to 10% of their body weight overnight to stay warm!

These clever birds have shown they can learn from each other by watching.

They sometimes use animal hair, moss, and spider silk to build their cozy nests!

Special abilities

Ability

Clever Food Finder

Great Tits can solve puzzles and use simple tools to access hidden food because of their intelligent brains.

Ability

Master of Messages

Great Tits have over 40 different calls that help them communicate danger, find mates, and defend territory.

Ability

Feathered Fencer

Great Tits can vigorously defend their nesting territory from intruders, sometimes even fighting off larger birds.

Measurements & details

Length
12.5-14 cm
Wingspan
21-26 cm
Weight
0.016-0.022 kg
Lifespan
2-10 years
Top Speed
39 km/h
Clutch Size
5-12
Incubation
12-15 days

Diet & Feeding

Great Tits love to eat insects, spiders, seeds, and sometimes even berries or nuts.

Age differences: Young birds are fed almost exclusively insects/larvae for protein; adults have a more varied diet.

Primary Foods

  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Beech nuts
  • Berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

A common avian predator of adult Great Tits.

eaten by

European Pine Marten

Martes martes

A mammal predator that can raid nests or catch adults.

eats

Speckled Wood butterfly

Pararge aegeria

Their caterpillars are a key protein source for nestlings.

depends on

Common Oak

Quercus robur

Provides abundant insects and sheltered nesting locations.

depends on

European Beech

Fagus sylvatica

Its seeds (beech nuts) are an important winter food source.

Traits

Also known as

Great TitmouseParus major

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Great Tit?

12.5-14 cm

What is Great Tit's wingspan?

21-26 cm

How much does Great Tit weigh?

0.016-0.022 kg

How long does Great Tit live?

2-10 years

How fast can Great Tit move?

39 km/h

What does Great Tit eat?

Great Tits love to eat insects, spiders, seeds, and sometimes even berries or nuts.

Where is Great Tit usually found?

Forests and gardens

How does Great Tit hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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