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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Willow tit perched on branch in autumnal woodland Blackthorn blossom, April Willow tit perched on branch
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Willow tit

Red conservation status

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Latin name

Poecile montanus

Family

Tits (Paridae)

Overview

Between blue and great tits in size, with no yellow, green or blue. It has a large sooty-black cap extending to the back of the neck and a small untidy black bib. It is mid-brown above, with whiter cheeks and pale buff-grey underparts. Its wings show a pale panel not found in marsh tits. Its recent population declines make it a Red List species.

Where to see them

Found mainly in England and Wales, with some in S Scotland. Willow tits are often, but by no means exclusively, found in willow thickets in damp places, such as the edge of lowland peat bogs, marshes, and around gravel pits.

When to see them

All year round

What they eat

Insects, seeds and berries.

Estimated numbers

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-8,500 territories--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

  • Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

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1 illustration

Illustrations
Willow tit

Willow tit

Similar birds

Marsh tit (illustration)

Marsh tit

Coal tit (illustration)

Coal tit

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 14/06/2008 02:16:52
Show/hide picture credits
Willow tit perched on branch in autumnal woodland - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_20442_0026 )
Blackthorn blossom, April - Katie Fuller
Willow tit perched on branch in woodland - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_20487_0026 )
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)