Bird Table News

I’ve had a lot of Great Tits visiting the old wire peanut feeder hanging from the fence outside our window. It’s wonderful to see them. Their bright colours light up the wet, dismal days we have been having at the moment. They are a welcome visitors to my peanut feeder and bird tables any day.

Great Tit  (Parus major)

The great tit is the largest of the British tits and is easy to recognise because of its yellow breast and long black central band which runs from its chin to its tail. It has a black and white head.   It is a really colourful bird.

The Great Tit likes a woodland habitat and it has a beak strong enough to crack hazel and beech nuts.

I always think the Great Tit looks pretty and charming but in reality it can be aggressive to other birds who try and share the bird table or peanut feeder. I have seen them do this. They open their beaks and spread their wings to try to get other birds away from the feed.

The Great Tit makes it nest from grasses, moss, wool and any other material that is available. The Blue Tit will nest in many places; hole fronted nest boxes, tree holes, eaves, stone walls , flowerpots.

Great Tits should be welcome in the garden as they feed their young on protein-rich caterpillars.

Once the fledglings are independent from their parents they feed in flocks with other species of tits. They roost together in Summer and Autumn. In winter so they have better protection from the freezing cold weather, they nestle alone in any crevice, or perhaps a hole in a tree. So I know they will be visiting my bird feeders for many months to come.

Tags: beak, bird_table, great-tit, peanuts