Marsh Tit: Pictures & Songs of the Barnacle Tit

How do you correctly identify a marsh tit? How do you distinguish them from the willow tit and what does their song sound like? We answer these and other exciting questions in the profile.

The marsh tit (Poecile palustris), also called barnacle tit, is a native and quite widespread songbird species in Central Europe. Though not as common as its well-known relatives, the great tit and the blue tit, it can nevertheless be observed in a wide variety of habitats and even in parks and gardens. How to safely identify a marsh tit and distinguish it from other species, when and where the little tit breeds and how you can support the native bird in your garden, you can find out here in our large species portrait.

Marsh Tit: Wanted Poster

size	Approximately 11 - 13 cm
Weight	About 12g
breeding season	April May
lifespan	Average 5 years
habitat	Old growth deciduous and mixed forests, parks and gardens
feed preference	Insects, spiders, seeds and berries
threats	decline in food and habitat

How to recognize the marsh tit

The marsh tit is slightly smaller than a great tit and has an inconspicuous brownish color on its back and elytra. The belly is slightly lighter and white cheeks adorn the face in stark contrast to a glossy black cap that reaches down to the eyes. Matching this, the marsh tit also has a small black spot on its throat.

Male and female marsh tits, as well as adult hatchlings, are difficult to tell apart by appearance.

How do marsh tits and willow tits differ?

The much less common willow tit looks confusingly similar to the marsh tit. The two species can best be distinguished by their species-specific song. There are also some distinguishing features from a purely visual point of view – but these are not always easy to spot. These include, on the one hand, the black cap, which on the willow tit is matt and not quite as intensely black colored, and on the other hand the throat spot, which is often a bit larger in the willow tit than in the marsh tit. In addition, the elytra of the willow tit is adorned with a bright area of ​​secondaries, which is not present in the marsh tit.

What does the marsh tit song sound like?

The song of the marsh tit consists of monosyllabic, high-pitched tones strung together in rapid succession: “Tyip-tyip-tyip-tyip-tyip-typ”. The song of the willow tit, on the other hand, is somewhat more variable and melodic and usually consists of two-syllable stanzas.

You can listen to the marsh tit song here:

In addition to singing, the marsh tit also has a number of other bird calls. The most characteristic is a sharp "Pi-tscha!", which the males use to mark their territory outside of the breeding season.

What do marsh tit eggs look like?

Female marsh tits lay dull, dirty-white eggs with brown-red speckles. The clutch usually consists of seven to nine eggs, which are laid on a bed of moss, animal hair and feathers.

Which habitat does the barnacle tit prefer?

Contrary to what its name suggests, the marsh tit does not live in swamps. Instead, it prefers deciduous and mixed forests with lots of old trees and undergrowth. Marsh tits can also be found in city parks, cemeteries or in gardens with old trees.

Where is she building her nest?

Like most tits, the marsh tit is a cavity breeder. She uses natural tree cavities in old trees, such as knotholes or old woodpecker holes, which she then expands according to her needs. The cave is lined with soft nesting material and is usually several meters high.

When do marsh tits breed?

Marsh tits breed between April and May. The eggs are incubated for about 12 to 15 days and the young birds are fed and cared for in the nest for another two to three weeks after hatching. Then the little ones try to fly and finally leave the nest. However, after this point in time, they are again provided with food by their parents for two weeks. In the case of marsh tits, it is not uncommon for a second brood to follow after the first successful raising of young in the same year.

Where does the marsh tit spend the winter?

are marsh tits sedentary birds and can therefore be observed here all year round. They are very site-loyal and never stray more than a few kilometers from their breeding grounds. Even the young birds, which have to look for their own territory next spring, do not migrate far and often settle in the immediate vicinity of their place of birth.

Support the marsh tit in the garden: Here's how

With the increasing loss of natural habitat, for example old deciduous and mixed forests, marsh tits are increasingly found in close proximity to humans. Find out here how you can offer wild birds a welcome home in your own garden.

What does the barnacle tit feed on?

Marsh tits have a very varied diet that changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, tits mainly hunt insects and other small animals. In late year and winter, on the other hand, they use a large number of seeds and nuts. From time to time berries and fruits are also eaten.

You can therefore support the marsh tit with energy-rich seeds, especially in the barren winter season. Our Plantura sunflower seeds for example, are ideal for species-appropriate wild bird feeding, which supplies many garden birds with energy and an extra load of nutrients in winter.

Which nest boxes are suitable for marsh tits?

Classic full-cavity nesting boxes, which are closed all around except for a small entrance hole, are suitable for marsh tits. The entrance hole itself should be between 26 and 28 mm. How to make one easily Build your own nest box can and what you should consider when choosing the material, the location and cleaning, you can find out in our special article.

How can you provide additional support for the barnacle tit?

Since marsh tits mainly eat insects in addition to seeds and nuts in summer, you can expand the natural diet of the songbirds by designing a natural garden. A meadow with domestic and insect friendly flowers For example, attracts numerous small garden visitors who not only come in handy for the birds, but also pollinate your fruit and vegetable plants. It is also advisable to avoid using chemical sprays as far as possible. These can be dangerous not only for insects but also for birds and leave harmful substances in the soil.

Another species of tit that not everyone knows and that you can also support with food and nesting aids in your garden is the tit long-tailed tit. Get to know this native garden bird in our species portrait.