Blue Tit
Latin Name: Parus caeruleus.
Description: Blue tits are smallish birds which have a yellow chest and a green back. Their wings are blue and white and they have a blue tail. Their faces are white with dark blue markings and a light blue crown.
Habitat: In woodlands, scrub, farmland, marshes, hedgerows and gardens.
Food: Insects are the main source of food and the chicks are fed caterpillars but they also eat seeds and nuts.
Distribution: The blue tit is commonly found in Great Britain.
Nesting: Nests are made in tree holes or nest boxes. The nest is made from feathers, moss, leaves, grass, wool and hair.
Eggs: They lay 7-14 white coloured eggs with spots on them in April - May. The female incubates the eggs for 13-15 days.
Did You Know?
- Blue tits are rarely seen on the ground.
- They are very acrobatic birds.
- Blue tit chicks leave their nest after 15-21 days of hatching.
- The call of the blue tit can be varied with buzzing sounds to a loud cry.
- The song of a blue tit is very trill and musical.
We have a nest box in our garden and every year blue tits hatch out in it. Last year I was lucky enough to witness the youngsters leaving the nest. It was an amazing sight. A blink of the eye and I could have missed it so there was no opportunity to grab the camera!
Click on the image below to visit Amazon.co.uk to find out more about this book or visit one of the Farming Friends Bookshops.
Birds Blue Tits eggs Farm Wildlife Nests
Should we still be feeding bluetits, now that it is getting warmer?
Comment by Charlotte — March 14, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Hi Charlotte,
Thank you for this question - it is a very important question to ask. The answer is yes.
Normally we feed wild birds during the Winter when food is in short supply for the bird population, however the Spring and Summer months can also bring cold and wet weather which can leave the birds with a food shortage.
In the Spring & Summer months birds need high protein food due to moulting & breeding. Birds can be fed black sunflower seeds, other seed mixtures, mild grated cheese, soaked raisins & soft apple or pear cut up. Avoid homemade fatballs in the Summer as the fat can melt and go rancid and do not feed birds loose peanuts.
Hope this is helpful. Happy birdwatching and feeding!
Sara @ Farming Friends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — March 14, 2007 @ 3:46 pm