Scientific name: Parus ater Linnaeus 1758
Bird group: Tits and allies
Field characters. 11 cm. Slightly smaller than Blue Tit. Plumage mainly grey, black and white. Resembles Great Tit in general pattern, but lacks yellow colours. White neck patch is a good field character. Upperparts grey to olive, underparts white with buff flanks. Two white wingbars. Juveniles are yellowish where adult is white. Less curious than Great Tit. Often in parties, also with other tits, especially outside breeding season.
Voice. Goldcrest-like 'siesie', 'titchee'. Song loud and repeated 'situ situ', faster than Great Tit.
Distribution. Common. Mainly resident, but some migration in autumn. In some years invasions occur.
Habitat. Especially canopy of coniferous woodland, but sometimes in mixed and deciduous forest, parks, etc.
Food. Mainly invertebrates. Sometimes climbs on tree trunks like Eurasian Treecreeper, otherwise feeds on branches.