Great tit

species of bird

The great tit (Parus major) is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is found throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central and Northern Asia, and parts of North Africa. Most great tits do not migrate except in places with harsh winters.[1]

Great tit female
Parus major eggs
Great tit nesting in a nest box

The great tit has a black head and throat. The back is olive-green and the stomach is yellow. It has a white spot on its cheek. The great tit is 12.5-14.0 centimetres long and weighs 16-21 grams. It is a song bird, and has up to 40 kinds of songs and sounds.

In the summer it eats insects and spiders. The great tit eats for example cockroach and grasshopper.

The female lays about 12 eggs and broods them by herself. Both parents take care of the baby birds. The great tit feeds its fledglings on protein-rich caterpillars.

References change

  1. Nowakowski, Jarosław K. (2001). "Speed and synchronization of autumn migration of the Great Tit (Parus major) along the eastern and the southern Baltic coast" (PDF). The Ring. 23 (1): 55–71. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-08-21.