Popped in to say hello today
Hi David,
Sorry to say but it is a Great tit (not really seen that many Coal tits over Rainham) but it is a good time to see them at this time of year (they have a knack of caching seeds from bird tables!)
The best way to tell the difference is that the Great tit is bigger, it does not have a white patch on the black cap at the rear of its head.
Coal tits are actually a little smaller than the Blue tit and lack the yellows and greens as the other two close species do, (this is because they feed more on seeds rather than caterpillars which causes the carotenoid green pigments in both Blue and Great tits), the Coal has a more grey/blue looking plummage.
Thanks
Craig
Also to add that the shot you took is really nice. Some good detail of the birds plummage
Nice one
Cheers
Thanks Craig and to anyone who is confused ,in my usual way I named wrongly again
Very nice shot, the Coal Tit looks in great condition.
RR
No worries they are not always easy to tell aprt. Here is a picture of the 2 to compare.
www.flickr.com/.../2183726474
Thanks Craig Matty (10 year old son) finally agreed lol well at least he is a keen young man where birds are concerned