Willow Tit - Poecile montanus

The Willow Tit has a large matt, sooty-black cap extending to the back of the neck and an untidy black bib that is diffuse at the edges. It is mid-brown above, with whiter cheeks, the white extending back to the nape, and pale buff-grey underparts. Its wings show a pale panel formed by the edges of the secondaries, not found in the very similar Marsh Tit. The nape of the neck is full, giving it a "bull-necked" appearance.

The song is either a series of melancholy 'tiu tiu tiu ...' notes or a high-pitched warble followed by a trill.

The adult Marsh Tit (Parus palustris) is similar but does not have a white wing panel. Marsh Tit has a glossier cap, smaller bib, duller cheeks towards the nape of the neck, and a less "bull-necked" appearance It has a white mark at the base of the bill. Marsh Tit is more likely to be seen at bird tables in winter.

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. The nest is excavated in a rotten tree trunk.

All year round

Insects, seeds and berries.

Found mainly in England and Wales, with some in southern Scotland. Its recent population decline make it a Red List species.

Scarce resident breeder. Recent decline. Red List.