Meet the Blue tits and great tits
Blue tits and great tits are small, colourful birds native to Europe and parts of Asia. Blue tits are known for their subtle blue and yellow plumage, while great tits are recognised by their distinctive black head and chest markings. Both species are relatively common sights in urban areas, gardens, and parks.
What they need
- Both blue tits and great tits are primarily insectivorous – meaning they eat insects. They also feed on seeds, nuts, and berries, particularly during the winter months.
- They need suitable nesting sites, often preferring tree holes, nest boxes, or even holes in walls or buildings. Unlike many wild birds they will often nest very close to areas of human activity such as small gardens.
What you can do to help
- Installing nest boxes can provide both species with essential nesting sites, particularly in areas where natural cavities are scarce.
- If it’s good for insects, it’s good for these beautiful little birds. Water features, whether large as a garden pond or small as a balcony container pond, pollinator-friendly planting, long grassy areas and wild patches, green walls, dry stone walls and wood piles for bugs to hide out, feed and complete their life cycles in – all these and more support insects and the birds that feed on them.
- Planting native trees and shrubs, as well as providing bird feeders with a variety of seeds, nuts, and suet, can help support blue tits and great tits throughout the year.
Fascinating facts
- Both species have been observed using tools, such as picking up pieces of bark to pry insects from crevices.
- Great tits in particular are skilled mimics, capable of imitating the calls of other bird species and even snakes to deter potential predators or competitors.
- They’re pretty comfortable around humans and tend not to migrate or travel far from where they hatched. So, if there’s a population nearby, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to attract them to your outdoor space.
- They have complex social structures, with individuals forming stable hierarchies within their feeding territories.
