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Description:
The Great Tit is about 15 cm long, with a wingspan of 22-25 cm and a weight usually not exceeding 21 grams. It has greenish plumage on the back, with gray-bluish tail and wings. Head and throat are shiny black, with white cheeks. The yellow breast is longitudinally crossed by a black stripe from throat to belly that, in males, appears much more pronounced. Among European congeners, the Great Tit is the species with the widest breeding range: in the Palearctic it is distributed from Portugal to Ireland westwards, to Kamchatka and the Indian subcontinent eastwards. Four subspecies present in Europe: in Italy – where it shows sedentary behavior, as in the entire central-southern portion of the European range – lives the nominal subspecies Parus m. major, besides Parus m. aphrodite whose distribution is however limited to Sicily. The Great Tit frequents semi-wooded environments such as forest edges, orchards, fields with tree rows, gardens and urban parks. Prefers low altitudes, like hilly and flat areas. Nests in protected tree cavities, walls and artificial nest boxes, building the nest with moss, hair and feathers. Lays eggs – normally 8-15 – between April and May: smooth, white with small dark red spots, incubated by the female for about 15 days. Chicks are cared for by both parents for about 20-30 days from hatching. Larvae, bees and spiders are its favorite food, but often does not disdain seeds, fruit and berries. Food is crumbled with the beak, holding it steady with the feet. Gladly accepts food offered by humans in feeders.
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Video length: 06:21
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