Wildlife In Focus | Coal Tit

Species Guide: Coal Tit (Periparus ater)

Conservation Status

Populations in the U.K. have been relatively stable for over forty years. Although, there are some yearly fluctuations. They are classified as a Green-Listed species in the U.K. and are globally registered as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

U.K.
Conservation Status

Global
Conservation Status

APPEARANCE

The Coal Tit is one of the smallest members of the tit family. They have grey backs and a buff-colored chest and tummy. They sport a black bib with white cheeks and a black cap. They are frequently mistaken for Marsh Tits and Willow Tits, especially from the front and side view. From the back, it is much easier to distinguish the Coal Tit from either the Willow or Marsh Tit, as the Coal Tit has a white patch from the top of the head down to its neck. The male and female of the species have the same plumage. Juveniles have a yellowish tinge on their necks.

Diet

Coal Tits eat seeds, nuts, and insects. They are frequent fleeting visitors to garden feeders, as they tend to be bullied by larger birds, so they will often snatch some food and take it away so that they can eat in peace.

HABITAT

They favor coniferous habitats but have adapted to all inland habitats in the U.K., including urban environments. Consequently, they can be found across the British Isles

Note that this map is for a rough illustration of animal distribution across the UK¹, whereby light green indicates established populations.

Behavior

Coal Tits are quite acrobatic birds, and are sometimes mistaken for tree-creepers due to their ability to hang upside down on branches of trees. They scatter and hoard their excess food supplies, meaning they will hide them in separate locations for later retrieval.

Did You Know? Because the Coal Tit is so small, they can only carry one seed at a time in their beaks, meaning they need to make frequent trips to food sources.

They prefer to nest in the cavities of trees, or in-between rocks and walls. Favoring low nesting sites, they will even reside under the ground in the old burrows of rodents or even larger mammals such as rabbits. They will though opportunistically nest in old nest sites of large birds, and even squirrel dreys. They make their nests from moss, hair, and grass with a lining of fur and feathers.

Coal Tits have 1 to 2 broods each year, each consisting of up to 9 eggs which are laid in April and hatch after 2 weeks, and are ready to fledge after an additional 2 weeks. Both the male and female birds contribute to the next building and the raising of their young.

Did You Know? Coal Tits are monogamous and will normally pair for life!

STATS

NATURAL PREDATORS

Sparrowhawks are their main predator. Their nests are often predated on by mammals as well as some birds.

References

1. Population data based on BTO assessment
2. Featherbase
3. RSPB