British Garden Birds: Complete Guide to the Tit Family

The little birds known as Tits are among the most recognisable of the garden birds seen across the UK. Famous faces such as the Blue Tit and the Great Tit are easily spotted with their bright blue and green feathers as they dart to bird feeders, often running off with the contents. But have you ever wondered where they prefer to nest, what they eat, and how they care for their young? This comprehensive guide sheds light on the life and habits of these charming birds from the tit family, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of these colourful garden visitors.

Overview of the British Tit Family

The British tit family (Paridae) includes six breeding species commonly found across the UK. These small, energetic birds are known for their vibrant plumage and lively nature, making them a favourite among garden birdwatchers. The main species are:

• Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
• Great Tit (Parus major)
• Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
• Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
• Willow Tit (Poecile montanus)
• Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) - now often placed in a distinct genus

While the Blue and Great Tits are among the most common and easily visible in gardens throughout the UK, the others are less frequently observed but still important members of the family. It's good to know that birds commonly referred to as "tits" like the Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) and Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) are not true members of the Paridae family but belong to other families.

Blue Tit: A Vibrant Garden Favourite

The Eurasian Blue Tit is one of the most vivid and familiar members of the tit family. Resident year-round in the UK, these birds are around 12cm long with an 18cm wingspan and weigh approximately 11 grams. Their distinctive azure blue crown, dark eye stripe circling their white cheeks, and sulphur-yellow underparts make them a delight to spot.

Blue Tits prefer nesting in tree holes, wall cavities, or erect nest boxes with a 26mm entrance hole placed about 6-7 feet high. They return to successful nest sites each year and fiercely protect their eggs and chicks with warning hisses and raised crests.

Nesting typically occurs in April or May, with large clutches averaging seven to eight eggs, though more can be laid. Parents are tireless feeders, with a young chick being fed about once every 90 seconds during peak feeding times. Their diet consists mainly of insects and caterpillars, making them excellent natural pest controllers in gardens. Sometimes they complement this with young buds and leaf miner grubs.

Great Tit: Strong and Adaptable

The Great Tit is the largest UK tit species, measuring 12.5-14cm in length. It has a striking black crown, neck, and throat, white cheeks, and bright lemon-yellow breast marked by a bold black stripe running down the centre. Females have similar but slightly paler colouring.

This species frequents a range of habitats including deciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, and gardens. Most Great Tits do not migrate, except in extreme northern areas. They form monogamous pairs and maintain strong territories, established in late January annually.

Great Tits lay between 5-12 eggs per clutch, sometimes up to 18, compensating for high chick mortality caused by predators. Their diet is varied; during breeding, mainly insects and spiders are caught to feed chicks, while seeds and berries are eaten out of season. Their acrobatics and adaptability make them popular garden visitors, and interestingly, the city of Sheffield reportedly hosts around 17,000 of these birds.

Coal Tit: The Smaller Cousin

The Coal Tit is a smaller, slightly duller member of the tit family, around 10-11cm long. Characterised by a black cap, white patch on the back of its head, off-white cheeks, and blue-black neck and throat feathers, it's identifiable if you know what to look for.

These birds favour coniferous forests but adapt comfortably to other woodland and garden habitats. Unlike Blue and Great Tits, Coal Tits often nest in less conventional spaces including tree stumps, low hollows, abandoned nests, burrows of small mammals, and between stones in walls.

They lay one clutch annually, commonly with seven to eleven eggs during May. Their diet consists largely of insects and invertebrates, supporting garden biodiversity by controlling some pests.

Attracting and Supporting Tits in Your Garden

To enjoy the lively presence of tits year-round, providing food and nesting opportunities is key. Bird tables stocked with sunflower hearts, mixed seeds, and suet attract them, especially during the cold months when wild food is scarce. Nest boxes designed with the right entrance size, positioned safely away from predators at 6-7 feet high, encourage nesting.

Regular cleaning of feeders and boxes helps maintain bird health and prevents disease. Watching tits feed and raise their young offers rewarding glimpses into the natural cycles of British wildlife.

Conclusion: Cherish Your Tits

The British tit family comprises some of the most colourful and endearing garden birds. The Blue Tit, Great Tit, and Coal Tit are particularly entertaining and beneficial visitors, aiding natural pest control and bringing year-round activity to gardens. By providing appropriate food and nest sites, you can help sustain these species responsibly and enjoy their delightful presence for years to come.

For more detailed information, visit authoritative sources such as the RSPB and local wildlife organisations to deepen your knowledge and support of British garden birds.