Coal Tit or Willow Tit?

General appearance

The Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) is a small, plump songbird with a robust body. Its plumage primarily consists of grey, brown, and white shades. The head is capped in glossy black extending to the nape, contrasting sharply with the pale cheeks. The upperparts are brownish-grey while the underparts are white, with sides tinged buff-brown. Its wings and tail boast a darker hue. An essential characteristic is a small black bib under its chin.

Male vs female

There is minimal sexual dimorphism in Willow Tits, making it hard to distinguish males from females by appearance. Both sexes have similar coloration and size. Thus, identification between genders is generally achieved through their distinct vocalizations.

Juvenile

Juvenile Willow Tits resemble the adults, but the glossy black cap is duller and they lack the black bib of mature birds. Additionally, juveniles exhibit a paler plumage with a more yellowish-brown hue. As they age, the coloration gradually darkens, approaching the adult appearance by their first winter.

Primary habitat

The willow tit favors damp deciduous and mixed forests in cool and temperate climate zones, specifically thriving in willow, alder, and birch trees.

Additional range

Astonishingly, this bird can also be found in scrubby areas and gardens. It mostly inhabits the Palearctic region, with a range extending across Europe and Asia to Japan.

Natural diet

The willow tit primarily consumes insects and spiders, which provide essential protein, particularly during the breeding season. These birds forage for caterpillars, beetles, aphids, and other small invertebrates found among foliage and bark. Seeds from trees like birch and alder, as well as a variety of berries, form a significant part of their diet, especially during the colder months when insects are scarce.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, willow tits are known to eat sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. These foods offer a convenient and reliable source of nourishment, particularly during winter when natural food sources are limited. The willow tit's preference for sunflower seeds is widespread among passerines due to their high energy content.