What are the differences between coal tit and great tit? What does the coal tit's nest look like? You can find this and other interesting information as well as pictures of the coal tit in our profile.
The coal tit (Periparus ater) is a very widespread native breeding bird, which - as the name suggests - prefers to stay in dense coniferous forests. Often he will be with his larger relative, the Great tit, confused, which, however, stands out due to its colorful plumage. Coal tit are rather dark and simple birds, which also contributed to their naming: The species name ater in Latin means something like "gloomy". On the other hand, the little tits are very social, lively birds that also have a lovely song. How to distinguish the coal tit from the great tit, even recognize them by their song, and how you can tell the little songbird in Can support your own garden, you can find out here in our large profile full of pictures and more exciting Facts.
contents
- Coal tit: profile
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This is how you recognize the coal tit
- What is the difference between the coal tit and the great tit?
- What does coal tit singing sound like?
- What do coal tit eggs look like?
- Which habitat does the coal tit prefer?
- Where does the coal tit build its nest?
- When is the coal tit's breeding season?
- Where do coal tits spend the winter?
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Support the coal tit in the garden: This is how it works
- What do coal tits eat?
- Which nest boxes are suitable for coal tits?
- How can you additionally support the coal tit?
Coal tit: profile
| size | Approximately 10 - 11 cm |
| weight | Up to 10 g |
| Breeding season | April - July |
| lifespan | About 5 years |
| habitat | Coniferous and mixed forests, parks and gardens |
| Feed preference | Insects and seeds |
| Threats | Decline in food and living space |
This is how you recognize the coal tit
Coal tits are very small, rounded birds with a fairly large head. These proportions give them a very cute look. The back and wing-coverts of the little tits are colored gray, their heads are deep black and marked with contrasting white patches on the cheeks and neck. The top of the head is also often adorned with a small "hood" made of black feathers. The coal tit's belly and flanks are a dirty beige.
A visual differentiation between male and female coal tits is unfortunately not possible. The same applies to the young animals: as soon as the little ones leave the nest and have reached their full size, they look very similar to their parents.
What is the difference between the coal tit and the great tit?
Coal tit and great tit are often confused at first glance. But even at second glance, you will notice some differences: Coal tits are much smaller than great tits and not nearly as colorful. Great tits are characterized by a bright yellow belly with a high-contrast black central stripe, while coal tits are simply beige in color underneath. They also lack the blue tips of the tails and wings of the great tits. From above you can see the white patch on the neck, which the larger relatives do not have.
What does coal tit singing sound like?
Coal tit have a particularly lovely two-syllable chant: "Si-tüh-si-tüh-si-tüh-si-tüh". This is very reminiscent of the bird's voice of the great tit, but is faster, higher and finer and therefore fits perfectly with the smaller coal tit.
This is what the coal tit song sounds like:
What do coal tit eggs look like?
Coal tit eggs are about 1.5 centimeters in size, white to cream-colored and covered with small brown-red speckles. The females can lay up to twelve such eggs per nest. The nest itself is made of grass, moss and other plant fibers and is padded with animal hair and feathers.
Which habitat does the coal tit prefer?
As the name suggests, coal tits love coniferous forests. They are also found in mixed forests, parks or larger gardens, but even there they adhere strictly to conifers. Coal tits can be found both in the lowlands and at higher altitudes and basically feel at home wherever there are conifers.
Where does the coal tit build its nest?
Coal tits are cave breeders and are very creative when it comes to choosing their nesting site. They use knotholes, hollowed-out tree stumps, old squirrel nests and even the burrows of mice or rabbits. The nest itself is made from grass, moss and other plant parts inside the cave.
When is the coal tit's breeding season?
The breeding season of the coal tit extends from April to July. As a rule, the bird parents raise only one brood during this time, which can, however, consist of up to twelve offspring. The eggs are incubated for 13 to 16 days and the young birds are fed with food in the nest for up to three weeks after hatching. Then the little ones leave the nest and make their first attempts at flight. Nevertheless, their parents will help them to find food for a few weeks before they are on their own.
Where do coal tits spend the winter?
Our domestic coal tits also spend the winter with us. The little birds defy the cold season and like to socialize with other conspecifics and close relatives, for example Great tits or Blue titslooking for food together in smaller groups.
Support the coal tit in the garden: This is how it works
The small, lively coal tits are also happy to be guests in home gardens. Here you can find out how you can offer the songbirds a home and how they can support them in winter and during the breeding season.
What do coal tits eat?
Coal tit feed on a mixture of vegetable and animal foods. In spring and during the breeding season, they like to collect smaller insects from trees and leaves. In the late year and winter, however, they feed on seeds such as larch, beech or fir seeds. They can also be seen at feeding stations, especially in winter. There they particularly like to use litter and grain forage or pure sunflower seeds.
But tit dumplings are also a treat for the little songbirds. Our Plantura corn dumplings have the advantage that they consist of pure insect fat that is mixed with valuable seeds, nuts and berries. Compared to conventional alternatives made from beef tallow, our tit dumplings save CO2 and are therefore more sustainable and also represent a much more natural source of food for the small garden birds.
Note: In our special article on the subject of "Build bird feeder yourself“.
Which nest boxes are suitable for coal tits?
If you want to offer the little coal tit a nesting opportunity in your own garden, you can easily get one Build your own nest box or buy it. So-called full cave boxes are best suited for this, which are closed all around except for a small entrance hole and are therefore most similar to the natural caves of coal tits. The entrance hole for the small tits should be 25 mm.
How can you additionally support the coal tit?
In addition to bird seed, there is also a watering point in the garden. This is very important especially on hot days and is gratefully accepted by many birds. It doesn't need a fancy one either Bird bath - A shallow bowl or a trivet is sufficient. However, it is important that the water points are cleaned regularly, otherwise they can develop into breeding grounds and places of infection for bird diseases. This risk increases with high temperatures, which is why water points should be cleaned daily in summer.
During the breeding season, coal tits are also dependent on a plentiful supply of insects. The design of a insect-friendly garden therefore not only benefits six-legged garden visitors, but also supports the little titmice in raising their children.
Another small songbird that can also be found here in winter and that likes to hide in conifers is that Winter golden chicken. You can also get to know this garden bird in our next species portrait.
