Blue Tit Factfile
Latin name
Distribution
Throughout the UK.
Habitat
Woodland is the main habitat, but also copses, hedgerows, parks and gardens with trees.
UK Breeding
3,600,000 breeding pairs, with a huge influx of birds from mainland Europe in the winter boosting the number to around 15 million.
This delightful and entertaining small bird is a frequent visitor to garden bird feeders and tables, performing skilful acrobatics to obtain a meal of peanuts or suet. They are easily recognised by their blue cap and wings, white cheeks and yellow body. Blue Tits are by far the most common species of tit in the UK, and will readily breed in nest boxes put up in gardens.
Video footage of Blue Tits
Blue Tit nesting and breeding habits
Nests in tree holes and nest boxes from March to June, laying 5-12 red flecked white eggs which hatch after 14 days incubation by the female.The young fledge at 18 days old and are fully independent after 4 weeks. They have one or two broods per year depending on the availability of food.
Blue Tit history and population trends
Although Blue Tit numbers have increased in the UK over the last 40 years, for some reason the number seen in individual gardens has actually declined a little since the 1970s. However, this could simply be because the population is being spread over more gardens as the popularity of feeding garden birds has grown in recent decades.
Behaviour traits of Blue Tits
Outside of the breeding season, Blue Tits can be quite gregarious and will feed in small groups which often include other species of tit. Nearly always active and highly dexterous, they are able to cling onto walls, fences and other structures in the garden to find hiding insects and other invertebrates.
Blue Tit diet and food
During summer, their diet comprises mainly of small insects, caterpillars, spiders and invertebrates such as millipedes. In urban and rural areas, they will continue to feed in gardens where food is provided. In the spring they will also feed on tree buds, often causing damage to fruit trees. In the winter months they will seek out insects and other invertebrates from crevices in trees and buildings, but a key source of food is that put out in gardens. Here they will eat black sunflower seeds which they hold in their feet and chisel off the husk with their bill to get at the heart. They also feed on peanuts in mesh feeders and any of our suet products. They will also like mixes such as High Energy Mix, which they’ll take from a hanging feeder or table.
What should I feed Blue Tits?
We recommend the following products to help attract Blue Tits to your garden.
Bird Food
