Great tit Parus major

Features

The great tit is a songbird from a family of tits, which is widespread in most of Europe and Asia. In Slovenia, it is one of the most widespread species besides the finch and the blackcap, and it is probably also the most common species. In winter, the great tits are among the most regular visitors at bird-feeders.

Species	Bird
Living space	Conifer forest, Deciduous forest
Size	13,4 - 14,5 cm
Weight	16 - 21 g

Description

The great tit is the largest representative of its family. The great tit's upperside is yellowish-green, and the lower is yellow. It has a blue-green tail with a bright edge, a black hat and white face. Males and females differ in the thickness of the black stripe on the chest and abdomen, which is thicker in the males. The habitat of the great tit extends over most of Europe and Asia, except for areas with extreme temperatures (e.g. Siberia). Thus, at the time of their nesting period and outside of it, their habitat includes all types of forests, gardens, scrubs, parks, orchards and settlements. In Slovenia it is one of the most common nesting birds. In winter, the great tits are regular visitors at bird-feeders, including the hanging nets with nuts, bird-feeders with seeds, waste containers (especially those containing meat residues and tallow) and halved coconuts. They also feed on fruit and other seeds, such as beechnut, acorn and even hazelnuts, which they open by pecking, while keeping them on the branch with their feet or by wedging them into a slit. In summer, they mainly feed on insects such as weevils, true bugs and caterpillars, as well as spiders and small snails. Unlike other birds, the great tits are not so lively and they keep to the ground or close to the ground when eating.