Coal Tit

The Coal Tit is Britain's smallest tit, recognised by its shiny black cap and a clear white patch on the back of its neck. Its cheeks are white, standing out against the black throat, while the upper parts are grey-green and the underside is pale buff. This bird is noticeably slimmer and more compact than the similar Great Tit or Blue Tit. It is found widely across Britain and Ireland, showing a strong liking for coniferous woodland, especially where spruce and pine trees are common. It can also be seen in mixed woodlands and mature gardens with conifers. Its thin, high-pitched call is often the first sign of its presence high in the trees. A typical behaviour is its habit of storing food, placing seeds and insects into cracks in the bark to eat later. The Coal Tit moves nimbly among the needle clusters, often feeding higher up in the trees than other tit species.