Coal Tit
Latin Name : Parus Ater
The cheeky but 'endangered' Coal tit
Resident or visitor : Resident but extremely threatened in Snape Wood
Size : 11.5cm
Appearance : Over-large head for a small body, small tail; similar looking to Great Tit, but can be distinguished by white flash on the nape of the neck, orangey-buff chest; back, wings and tail are blue-grey, white wing bars. Juveniles have yellow wing bars.
Call : A sort of mini-me of the Great Tit : fond of a single and loud chirp; also makes a ‘see see see’ sound similar to Blue Tits.
Diet : Insects, caterpillars, seeds (especially sunflower), peanuts, fat balls – Coal Tits are notorious for caching food, so once they find a supply they will often be seen flying to and fro, tapping seeds into the branches of trees. They have a poor memory, however, but their industry benefits other birds and wildlife.
Nesting habitat : Woodland – hole in a tree. Female makes nest of moss, roots and other soft materials.
Offspring :9-10 eggs incubated by female for 14-16 days; both parents feed young, who fledge within 16 days. Second brood more likely in conifer woodland (not Snape Wood)
General information and observations : Coal tits are the most threatened bird in Snape Wood – it is thought no more than two or three currently reside therein and it is not known whether there are females to continue the line (there were no chicks last year which were seen). They are incredibly shy birds, but are loyal garden feeders (particularly where there are sunflower seeds going spare) and, over time, come to accept the human feeding them, becoming much braver. Very visible during the day – their constant to-ing and fro-ing makes them an easy spot, even if they only hang around for a few seconds at a time. Capable of holding their own against their larger cousins (blue and great tits), with whom they form winter flocks (along with long-tailed tits).
Please add your sightings and observations below !
Themocracy
Daily sightings on Salmon Close edge of Reserve, two birds only