Between blue and great tits in size, with no yellow, green or blue. It has a large sooty-black cap extending to the back of the neck and a small untidy black bib. It is mid-brown above, with whiter cheeks and pale buff-grey underparts. Its wings show a pale panel not found in marsh tits. Its recent population declines make it a Red List species.
Key ID Features:
Very similar to Marsh Tit it creates an ID challenge for even experienced birders.
Both are medium sized, neat tits with a black cap and bib, plain brown back and wings, pale cheeks and grey-buff underparts.
However good views allow some help as Willow Tit has a bigger headed and more 'bull-necked' appearance, richer buff flanks, pale panels on the wings and pale edges to the tail.
More subtle clues of a lack of white spot at base of upper mandible, less glossy cap, larger black chin patch and more defined cheek patches require excellent views.
Learning the calls of Willow and Marsh Tit provides a much easier distinction as they are quite different.
Overview
Scientific name: Parus or Poecile montanus.
Family: Tits (Paridae)
Where to see them:
Found mainly in England and Wales, with some in S Scotland. Willow tits are often, but by no means exclusively, found in willow thickets in damp places, such as the edge of lowland peat bogs, marshes, and around gravel pits.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Insects, seeds and berries.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
